Carbon Capture FAQ (CCS & CCUS): Understanding CO₂ Capture, Utilization and Storage Technologies
Explore answers to the most frequently asked questions about carbon capture, CO₂ capture, CO₂ storage, and CCS and CCUS technologies.
Reducing greenhouse gas emissions has become a major challenge for industries with high carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions. While improving energy efficiency and expanding renewable energy sources are essential steps toward decarbonization, they are not always sufficient to eliminate the unavoidable emissions generated by certain industrial processes.
Carbon Capture (CC), Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) technologies address this challenge by capturing CO₂ before it is released into the atmosphere, then either utilizing it in industrial applications or storing it safely and permanently.
At LAB, we have been supporting waste-to-energy operators and industrial companies for many years in the design of advanced flue gas treatment solutions. This expertise enables us to integrate Carbon Capture technologies while taking into account the technical, energy, and operational constraints specific to each facility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Carbon Capture
What is Carbon Capture in Waste-to-Energy plants?
Carbon capture separates CO₂ from flue gases after combustion, enabling storage or reuse and reducing overall emissions.
In Waste-to-Energy plants, it plays a key role in supporting decarbonization strategies.
What is the difference between Carbon Capture, CCS, and CCUS?
Carbon Capture (CC) refers solely to the process of capturing CO₂ before it is released into the atmosphere.
CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) includes an additional step: transporting the captured CO₂ for permanent geological storage.
CCUS (Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage) goes one step further by enabling the captured CO₂ to be utilized in various industrial applications before, or alongside, permanent storage.
These three approaches all contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions while addressing different industrial objectives.
How does a Carbon Capture system work?
A Carbon Capture system typically consists of the following steps:
- Capturing carbon dioxide (CO₂) from flue gases;
- Purifying and concentrating the captured CO₂;
- Compressing the gas;
- Transporting it to a utilization or storage site;
- Industrial utilization or permanent geological storage.
Together, these steps form the complete Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) value chain.
Where is the Carbon Capture system installed?
It is typically installed downstream of the flue gas treatment system, once the gas has been properly cleaned. This ensures optimal performance and protects the capture system.
At LAB, carbon capture integration is developed in close connection with upstream flue gas treatment systems to ensure overall plant performance.
Can Carbon Capture be added to an existing plant?
Yes. Most industrial facilities can integrate a Carbon Capture solution as part of a retrofit project.
However, successful integration requires a comprehensive assessment of several key factors, including:
- Flue gas treatment performance;
- Energy requirements;
- Available installation space;
- Operational constraints;
- Future opportunities for CO₂ utilization or storage.
Each project is evaluated individually to ensure a solution that is both technically sound and economically viable.
What are the benefits of Carbon Capture for Waste-to-Energy plants?
Carbon Capture reduces CO₂ emissions, supports compliance with climate objectives, and can create new value chains through CO₂ utilization or storage.
Does Carbon Capture affect plant operation?
Installing a Carbon Capture unit does require additional energy.
However, modern Carbon Capture technologies are designed to minimize this impact through optimized processes and seamless integration with existing facilities.
At LAB, every project is engineered to balance environmental performance, energy efficiency, and the continuous, reliable operation of industrial plants.
Why choose LAB for your Carbon Capture project?
The success of a Carbon Capture project depends not only on the capture technology itself, but also on how effectively it is integrated into the existing facility.
Drawing on decades of expertise in flue gas treatment, LAB supports its customers from the earliest feasibility studies through engineering, installation, and commissioning.
Our engineers assess the specific characteristics of each facility to design solutions tailored to its technical, energy, and regulatory requirements. This approach ensures optimal overall plant performance while preparing facilities for future developments in CCS and CCUS technologies.