Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and Research and Development

National and international plans for halting and reversing climate change focus on reducing and eventually ending the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions: carbon dioxide (CO2) released by fossil fuel combustion. However, as the nation moves towards replacing many fossil CO2-emitting processes with zero- or low-carbon-emission alternatives, special attention is needed to eliminate net carbon emissions from the systems that cannot be fully "decarbonized", such as the production of aviation fuel, chemicals, plastics, and construction materials. For these systems, carbon will need to be managed and utilized effectively, in a way that either prevents CO2 from entering the atmosphere or reuses it through circular processes that do not contribute additional emissions.


Carbon Utilization Infrastructure, Markets, and Research and Development: A Final Report is the second report of a two-part study. The study's first report assessed the state of infrastructure for CO2 transportation, use, and storage, highlighting priority opportunities for further investment. This second report identifies potential markets and commercialization opportunities for CO2- and coal waste-derived products, examines economic, environmental, and climate impacts of CO2 utilization infrastructure, and puts forward a comprehensive research agenda for carbon utilization technologies.

Table of Contents


Front Matter
Summary
1 Introduction
2 Priority Opportunities for CO2- or Coal WasteDerived Products in a Net-Zero Emissions Future
3 Life Cycle, Techno-Economic, and Societal/Equity Assessments of CO2 Utilization Processes, Technologies, and Systems
4 Policy and Regulatory Frameworks Needed for Economically Viable and Sustainable CO2 Utilization
5 Mineralization of CO2 to Inorganic Carbonates
6 Chemical CO2 Conversion to Elemental Carbon Materials
7 Chemical CO2 Conversion to Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers
8 Biological CO2 Conversion to Fuels, Chemicals, and Polymers
9 Products from Coal Waste
10 CO2 Utilization Infrastructure
11 A Comprehensive Research Agenda for CO2 and Coal Waste Utilization
Appendixes
Appendix A: Committee Member Biographical Information
Appendix B: Disclosure of Unavoidable Conflicts of Interest
Appendix C: Committee Information-Gathering Sessions
Appendix D: Acronyms and Abbreviations
Appendix E: Supplemental Material to the Comprehensive Research Agenda for CO2 and Coal Waste Utilization
Appendix F: CO2 Capture and Purification Technology Research, Development, and Demonstration Needs
Appendix G: Key Features of Effective Siting and Permitting Processes
Appendix H: CO2 Stream Impurities and CO2 Purity Requirements for Transport and Utilization
Appendix I: Additional Information on Markets for CO2 Utilization
Appendix J: Background Information About Life Cycle, Techno-Economic, and Societal/Equity Assessments
Appendix K: Elemental Carbon Products Literature Review
Appendix L: Extraction of Select Critical Minerals from Coal Wastes: Literature Review