Carbon capture is the first step in carbon capture and storage (CCS), a technology that prevents large quantities of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere. Carbon capture can be applied to large-scale emissions processes, including coal and gas-fired power generation, natural gas processing and fertiliser production, as well as the manufacture of industrial materials such as cement, iron and steel and pulp and paper. There are three basic types of CO2 capture: pre-combustion, post-combustion and oxyfuel with post-combustion. Pre-combustion processes convert fuel into a gaseous mixture of hydrogen and CO2, the hydrogen is separated and can be burnt without producing any CO2; the CO2 can then be compressed for transport and storage.
