SCI Energy Future opportunities for CO2 - 3 of 3

Synopsis

In our series of three October/November 2020 webinars, “Decarbonisation and the chemistry of CO₂”, of which this is the final, we will hear from industry and academic researchers who are exploring future CO₂ capture, transport and storage techniques and scenarios; new and emerging CO₂ capture and conditioning technologies; and the variety of opportunities being explored to utilise captured CO₂.

The UK Government has mandated that by 2050, the UK will be carbon neutral. To meet this target, research by the Committee for Climate Change (CCC), the Energy Systems Catapult (ESC) and the Energy Technologies Institute for the SCI’s Energy Group has highlighted the importance of Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS), in particular for addressing industrial emissions. Without CCUS, achieving net zero will be incredibly challenging, if not impossible.

The UK is very well placed to develop and exploit CCUS - Her Majesty’s Government wants the UK to become a global CCUS technology leader and to work internationally to bring about global CCUS cost reductions.

Understanding the chemistry of CO₂ is vital if we are to develop the processes at scale for CO₂ capture and conditioning, alongside opportunities to use CO₂ as a resource to produce a wide variety of chemicals including fertilisers, materials and fuels. These uses include more straightforward, but transient technologies, such as the use of captured CO₂ in carbonated drinks and glasshouses, through to more complex options to ‘lock-in’ CO₂ via the manufacture of products such as acetic acid, fertilisers and fuels, and new materials such as polymers and CO₂ cured cement.

Attendees

• Academics looking to hear about the latest developments.
• Business leaders looking to find out what CCUS means, what the opportunities might be to use or sell their own CO₂ or to find new ways to make new products.
• Early career researchers looking to widen their scope of knowledge around their core CCUS studies.

Chair

Dr Peter Clough, Cranfield University

Dr Peter Clough is a lecturer in Energy Engineering at Cranfield University. Dr Clough's current research is centred around the theme of clean hydrogen production coupled with carbon capture and storage. Within his research, he applies machine learning to aid the design and selection of materials for hydrogen production. Dr Clough leads the research activities for the HyPER project (a £8M project funded by BEIS) which is developing a next generation state-of-the-art hydrogen production pilot plant based on sorbent enhanced steam methane reforming.

Speakers

David Nevicato

Total (CCUS Research Programme)

David Nevicato is CO2/CCUS research program manager in the TOTAL Research & Development Division. He received his Chemical Engineering PhD in 1996 at the Claude Bernard University- Lyon 1- and his engineer graduate in 1991 From École Nationale Supérieure des Industries Chimiques (ENSIC) – Nancy-. He is an experienced professional in refining industry with over 20 years in research, process, operation and human resources. He joined the corporate R&D division in 2016 to set up the new CCUS R&D program following the TOTAL commitments according its Climate Strategy.

Paul Winstanley

Thorntec Limited

Paul Winstanley is a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years' experience. He has successfully delivered a range of projects for some of the largest UK multi-national companies. His experience spans a wide range of fields including facilities management, electrical/mechanical/controls, environmental engineering, tri-generation, gasification, Combined Heat and Power. With an innovative and practical approach, plus a focus on cost effective solutions, he ensures that a high-quality service is maintained throughout his projects and can implement value-adding strategies.
Paul is currently delivering advanced renewable energy technology projects in support of the United Kingdom's carbon reduction commitment for 2050 with Thornfield Technical Solutions Ltd. This includes the ETI’s Advanced Waste Gasification demonstrator project in the West Midlands with Kew Technology.

Prof Christopher Rayner

University of Leeds

Chris Rayner is Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Leeds, where he has been for over 30 years. His research interests are focused on varies aspects of Sustainable Chemistry. Of particular relevance is his work on carbon dioxide chemistry which in 2009 led to the formation of C-Capture Ltd. as a University start up, which has developed some really transformational technology for CO2 separation from other gases, which has the potential to play a major role as we move towards a decarbonised world.

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Programme

 Summaries of presentations are shown in the Appendix here.