Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS) is a critical technology in the fight against climate change, enabling significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions while fostering economic growth.
In this interview, AZoM speaks with Trevor Tilmann, Applications Engineer at Thermo Fisher Scientific, and Nimesh Khadka, Ph.D, Sr. Product Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific, about how CCUS is driving economic growth and environmental stewardship through technological innovation. Trevor and Nimesh share key insights into global market drivers, technological advancements, and the role of analytical solutions like FTIR and Raman spectroscopy in supporting CCUS across industries.
This interview summarizes the webinar presented by Trevor Tilmann and Nimesh Khadka - you can watch the webinar here.
Can you please introduce yourself and your role at Thermo Fisher Scientific?
My name is Trevor Tilmann, and I’m an Applications Engineer with Thermo Fisher Scientific, focusing on Environmental and Process Monitoring. I joined the company in 2023 with a background in source testing, FTIR gas analysis, continuous emissions monitoring, and method development. My role centers on helping industries implement robust gas analysis systems to support compliance and optimize carbon capture processes.
My name is Nimesh Khadka, and I’m a Product Manager at Thermo Fisher Scientific, specializing in Raman Spectroscopy. I joined the company with a strong background in chemical engineering and process analytics. My role involves developing and managing advanced Raman spectroscopy solutions that enhance real-time monitoring and control in various industrial applications, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). I work closely with our customers to ensure our technologies meet their needs for efficient and reliable process monitoring, ultimately supporting their efforts in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving sustainability goals.
What are the main drivers behind the global push for CCUS implementation?
One of the biggest forces driving change today is the urgent need to cut greenhouse gas emissions and stay on track with global climate goals, like those set out in the Paris Agreement. Countries are stepping up - take the EU, which is targeting a 55 % emissions reduction by 2030, or the US, aiming for a 90 % cut from power plants by 2040.
CCUS is emerging as a practical way to achieve this. It allows industries to retrofit existing infrastructure with carbon capture systems, making it a realistic and immediate option for reducing emissions, especially in cases where switching to carbon-neutral fuels isn’t yet affordable or widely available.
Could you explain the difference between compliance and voluntary carbon markets?
Compliance markets, like the EU’s Emission Trading System (ETS), set a cap on total emissions within a region. Companies that emit less can sell allowances to those that exceed their limits. Voluntary markets, common in the US, allow companies to capture CO2 and sell offset credits to meet corporate sustainability goals. These credits can be traded globally and are not bound by regional caps, giving corporations more flexibility to invest in carbon reduction initiatives.
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How is the global CCUS market evolving, and which sectors are investing the most?
We’ve seen over $6 billion already invested in CCUS globally, with projections reaching $175 billion annually by 2035. The number of operational facilities is expected to rise from about 40 today to over 600 by 2030. Most of the investment will focus on “hard-to-abate” sectors like cement, steel, and power generation - industries that are heavily regulated and face steep challenges in decarbonization.
What are the main methods of carbon dioxide capture, and how do they differ?
There are four primary methods:
- Pre-combustion capture: Processes fuel in a gasifier to separate hydrogen and CO2.
- Post-combustion capture: The most common method, involving the use of solvents like amines to remove CO2 from flue gas.
- Oxy-fuel combustion: Burns fuel in pure oxygen, producing a flue gas rich in CO2 and water.
- Direct air capture: Extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere and can be deployed nearly anywhere, offering flexibility for companies without industrial emissions sources.
What are the major cost factors in CO2 capture and transportation?
The cost of capturing CO2 can vary a lot depending on where it’s coming from. Some industrial processes - like ammonia or ethylene oxide production - produce high-purity CO2, which makes it cheaper and easier to capture. On the other hand, sectors like cement and power generation deal with more diluted CO2 streams, pushing capture costs up to anywhere between $40 and $120 per ton.
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Direct air capture is the most expensive option, mainly because CO2 is so sparse in the atmosphere. And that’s not the end of it - once captured, CO2 needs to be compressed into a liquid or supercritical state for pipeline transport or storage, which adds even more to the overall cost.
How is captured CO2 currently being utilized across industries?
CO2 utilization is expanding beyond traditional applications like beverage-grade CO2 or enhanced oil recovery. Newer uses include:
- Creating e-methanol for sustainable fuels
- Producing urea fertilizers
- Synthesizing CO2-derived building materials like calcium carbonate for cement and asphalt
These applications not only reduce emissions but also create economic incentives for carbon capture.
Why is real-time impurity monitoring so important in CCUS infrastructure?
Real-time impurity monitoring is crucial in CCUS infrastructure because impurities such as oxides of nitrogen, sulfonated species, water, and oxygen can create acidic conditions within the pipeline. For example, NO2 can react with water in captured CO2 to form nitric acid, and H2S can react similarly to form sulfuric acid. These acids can corrode pipelines, compromising their integrity and leading to potential leaks or failures. Therefore, monitoring these impurities at very low levels ensures that the pipeline infrastructure remains intact and safe, preventing costly repairs and environmental hazards.
Additionally, real-time impurity monitoring is essential for maintaining the efficiency and effectiveness of the CCUS process. Impurities can affect the purity of CO2, which is critical for its subsequent utilization or storage. For instance, the Thermo Scientific MaxBev CO2 Purity Monitoring System verifies the absolute purity of CO2 to ensure it meets stringent standards. This is particularly important for applications like beverage-grade CO2, where even minor impurities can have significant impacts. By providing real-time data, these monitoring systems enable immediate corrective actions, ensuring that the CO2 remains within required purity specifications and enhancing the overall reliability of the CCUS infrastructure.
What are the key features of the process Raman analyzer used in CCUS applications?
The Thermo Scientific MarqMetrix All-In-One Process Raman Analyzer operates using a laser excitation of 785 nanometers with a power gradient from 10 to 450 milliwatts. It has a spectral range of 100 to 3050 per cm with a spectral resolution of 6.5 per cm. The instrument is designed to collect high signal-to-noise ratio spectrums with very low dark noise, around 16.5 at a 10-second integration time. Its compact size, equivalent to a textbook, makes it suitable for deployment in multiple processes and environments.
Can the process Raman systems handle high temperatures and pressures in CCUS applications?
Yes, the process Raman systems are designed to operate reliably under high temperatures, high pressures, and tough chemical environments. The instruments are equipped with probes that are resistant to these conditions, ensuring consistent performance across various applications. This robustness makes them suitable for monitoring and controlling processes in challenging environments, such as those encountered in CCUS applications.
What is the role of Raman spectroscopy in transforming CO2 into useful products?
Raman spectroscopy plays a significant role in transforming CO2 into useful products by providing real-time monitoring of chemical reactions. It can track the conversion of CO2 to hydrocarbons, ethanol, and other value-added products. The unique Raman signatures of these transformations allow for precise monitoring and control, providing cost and time benefits to customers. This capability is essential for optimizing the process and ensuring the efficient production of carbon-neutral fuels and other valuable chemicals.
What role do FTIR and Raman spectroscopy play in the CCUS value chain?
FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) and Raman spectroscopy play crucial and complementary roles in the CCUS value chain. Raman spectroscopy is particularly effective for real-time monitoring and control of chemical processes, detecting changes in molecular structure and physical state, and providing both quantitative and qualitative data. It is especially useful in monitoring CO2 capture in aqueous amine solutions, where water's strong IR fingerprint is weak in Raman. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy can detect and quantify hydrogen, which is IR-inactive, and monitor the transformation of CO2 into value-added products like hydrocarbons and ethanol. This real-time data enables feedback control and automation of processes, enhancing efficiency and reliability.
On the other hand, FTIR spectroscopy is beneficial for detecting impurities and monitoring CO2 purity, which is crucial for ensuring the efficiency of the CCUS process. It is sensitive to low concentrations of certain molecules, making it ideal for monitoring CO2 purity and other critical parameters. FTIR can detect CO2 and its impurities, ensuring the purity required for subsequent utilization or storage. Together, these technologies help improve the efficiency of the CCUS process by providing detailed insights into the chemical reactions and transformations occurring during carbon capture and utilization. They enable the detection of amine degradation and other critical factors that can affect the overall efficiency and reliability of the CCUS process.
What is the outlook for CCUS over the next decade?
The outlook is very promising. As policy pressure increases and technology costs fall, CCUS is becoming more widely adopted. We’re seeing increased government funding, innovations in capture and utilization technologies, and more collaboration between industry and regulators.
While it’s not a silver bullet for climate change, CCUS will play a critical role in bridging the gap to a low-carbon or carbon-neutral economy, especially for industries where direct decarbonization is not currently feasible.
About the Interviewees
Trevor Tilmann is an Applications Engineer with Thermo Fisher Scientific, Environmental and Process Monitoring. He has a BS in Chemistry from Central Michigan University, with a concentration in Analytical Chemistry. 
He joined Thermo Fisher Scientific in 2023. With a background in source testing, Trevor is an expert in FTIR gas analysis, continuous emissions monitoring, and method development.
Nimesh Khadka is a Senior Product Applications Specialist at Thermo Fisher Scientific with specializing in analytical biochemistry, spectroscopy, and chemometrics. Driven by passion of innovation, he is currently leading the way in championing Raman spectroscopy as process analytical technology (PAT) for development of protein and nuclei acids therapeutics.
Nimesh completed his Ph.D at Utah State University with focus in enzymology, spectroscopy, and alternative
bioenergy. His postdoctoral training was conducted at Case Western Reserve University, where he dedicated his research to the study of structural biology in biomolecules associated with eye pathologies. This extensive background has provided Nimesh with a deep understanding of the intricacies of biomolecular structures and their applications in various fields. As an active member of the American Chemical Society, Nimesh remains at the forefront of emerging technologies and is committed to driving innovation to meet customer’s need.
This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Thermo Fisher Scientific – Environmental and Process Monitoring Instruments.
For more information on this source, please visit Thermo Fisher Scientific – Environmental and Process Monitoring Instruments.
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