Global climate change is an ever-increasing concern that commands a significant portion of today’s scientific discourse and international policy-making. The evidence is irrefutable; anthropogenic activities have fundamentally altered the natural balance of Earth’s systems, primarily through the relentless emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) and other greenhouse gases. As of 2023, atmospheric CO₂ levels have reached troubling heights of over 420 parts per million, marking a significant increase from pre-industrial levels which hovered around 280 parts per million. Such dramatic shifts in the composition of our atmosphere are primarily the result of fossil fuel consumption and various industrial processes, leading to accelerated climate change characterized by rising global temperatures, melting ice caps, and an increase in the severity and frequency of extreme weather events across the planet.
As international efforts ramp up towards achieving decarbonization, the focus on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) has gained considerable momentum. This suite of technologies is essential for not just managing emissions from existing fossil fuel infrastructure but also for creating a more sustainable energy landscape. Geological formations, such as deep saline aquifers and oil reservoirs, possess an impressive storage capacity that can contain more carbon than has been emitted by human activities since the dawn of the Industrial Revolution. For instance, China is noted for having sedimentary basins with a storage potential that could sequester its projected carbon emissions for many decades into the future. Nonetheless, the journey toward widespread adoption of geological carbon storage technologies is fraught with challenges, including ensuring the integrity of reservoirs, estimating the dynamic capacities for storage accurately, as well as managing risks related to leakage. Compounding these challenges are the complexities associated with long-term monitoring and the degradation of materials used in these carbon sequestration systems.
One of the technological pathways within CCUS that stands out is the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) process. This method demonstrates the dual benefit of increasing energy production while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions. Research conducted by Rui et al. delves into factors that influence the CO₂-EOR process, which include the properties of geological reservoirs, characteristics of fluids, and several operational parameters. They also systematically analyze the relationships among these factors to determine their collective impact on enhancing energy production alongside storage. Moreover, a multidisciplinary approach that harnesses lifecycle assessments and multi-scale evaluations offers a comprehensive framework to gauge the performance of CCUS-EOR initiatives.
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Innovations also abound in methodologies for enhancing oil recovery, as evidenced by work from Song et al., who have introduced a novel technique that employs thickened supercritical CO₂ (scCO₂) flooding in mature reservoirs with high water content. Their molecular dynamics simulations led to the synthesis of a copolymer which incorporates vinyl acetate modified with maleic anhydride and styrene, effectively clarifying the underlying mechanisms driving enhanced oil recovery through this thickened CO₂ flooding approach. Furthermore, researchers like Du et al. have taken significant strides to address technical challenges in high-temperature applications by advancing a dispersed particle gel suspension that is promising for effective profile control in the context of CCUS.
In terms of carbon storage, it becomes increasingly evident that mineralization offers a potentially robust method for sequestration in CCUS applications. Chai et al. have quantified the reduction in permeability driven by mineralization processes through feldspar dissolution and the precipitation of kaolinite. By integrating experimental data with microanalytical characterization, their study sheds light on reactive multi-phase flows within mineralogically complex sandstones—setting a foundation for understanding geological carbon storage within heterogeneous mineral compositions. Wang et al. provide additional insights by postulating that CO₂ storage longevity is characterized by multi-stage processes that include both oil displacement and subsequent well shut-in periods.
These studies reveal a transformative narrative regarding the mechanisms of CO₂ storage. Their findings delineate the evolution of storage modalities as CO₂ transitions from being dominantly trapped by structural and residual methods to being sequestered through solubility and mineral trapping over extended timescales. Permeability shifts and gas-water interactions are pivotal in transitions from short-term trapping to long-term solutions involving mineral sequestration. Further intrinsic factors influencing CO₂ storage potential are explored in studies by Meng et al., who examine how adsorption and diffusion processes affect CO₂ storage capabilities, particularly in shale reservoirs. Their investigations extend to the Gulong shale oil reservoir within China’s Daqing Oilfield, predicting future CO₂ storage potentials based on current and historical data.
The safety of CO₂ storage remains an area of paramount importance, as highlighted in studies by Fan et al. Their work underscores the critical threats to wellbore integrity posed by accelerated corrosion of steel and cement in scCO₂ and brine environments, with microbial-induced corrosion rates averaging 0.5 mm per year in acidic settings. This corrosion derives primarily from the inherent reactivity of scCO₂ and the complex multiphase interactions that occur within geological substrate. While current predictive modeling techniques fall short of encapsulating the long-term impacts of century-scale stress and microbial synergy, Fan et al. propose innovations in materials, such as optimizing corrosion-resistant alloys and formulating self-healing cements. They recommend integrating advanced artificial intelligence-driven monitoring systems to enhance the longevity and reliability of infrastructure supporting CO₂ storage.
The utilization of CO₂, alongside its storage, emerges as a vital pathway for advancing the broader CCUS system. Wang et al. have contributed significantly to this dialogue by developing CO₂-mineralized backfill materials sourced from coal waste, achieving noteworthy compressive strengths while sequestering considerable amounts of CO₂. Their methods not only demonstrate feasibility but also highlight the potential for emissions reductions on a large scale. For instance, through the strategic application of waste-specific reactivity, their approach yielded a reduction of 1.23 million tons of emissions annually in China. This transformation speaks to a larger vision of integrating industrial decarbonization with waste valorization and secure geological storage, putting a spotlight on the benefits of synergistic actions in environmental management.
As we look toward the future, the enigma of climate change remains unresolved, yet the body of research surrounding CCUS offers a beacon of hope. This special issue endeavors to energize discourse and foster actionable inquiries that capitalize on the emergent opportunities presented by advances in this critical field. While facing myriad challenges, collaborative and innovative efforts can catalyze substantial progress. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the authors of the contributing studies for their scholarly endeavors, to the editors for their guidance in this compilation, and to the reviewers whose rigorous critique has enhanced the academic rigor of the presented work.
This ongoing dialogue about CCUS, particularly as it pertains to carbon capture and storage technologies, emphasizes not only the urgency of the climate crisis but also the remarkable ingenuity of scientific exploration. It serves as a reminder that persistence and collaboration could unlock innovative solutions to one of humanity’s most pressing challenges.
Subject of Research: Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
Article Title: Editorial for the Special Issue on Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
News Publication Date: 13-May-2025
Web References: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eng.2025.04.004
References: (not applicable)
Image Credits: (not applicable)
Keywords
carbon capture, carbon storage, climate change, enhanced oil recovery, geological storage, CO₂ emissions, sustainability, environmental management, decarbonization, industrial processes, mineralization, renewable energy.
Tags: anthropogenic climate impactatmospheric carbon dioxide levelscarbon capture technologiescarbon storage in geological formationscarbon utilization methodsCCUS advancements and innovationsclimate change mitigation strategiesdecarbonization efforts 2023extreme weather events and climate changefossil fuel consumption effectsgreenhouse gas emissions reductionsustainable energy solutions