Sustainable Solutions for Carbon Dioxide Emissions Mitigation through Utilization Schemes

Dear Colleagues,

As awareness of realistic emission mitigation options increases, the importance of carbon capture, utilization, and various storage concepts becomes obvious. Although underground storage is the most effective means of emissions reduction, it can be considered the last step in the CCUS chain Significant benefits can be achieved by using CO₂ before it is permanently stored, especially considering the rising CO₂ price. High capturing costs, dependent on the industry, facility type, and the chosen capturing technology, imply that further utilization of the captured CO₂ is highly desirable to justify the investments. Finding the best combination of capture technology and subsequent utilization option is a complex issue that requires information regarding the broader context, e.g., transport options, legal framework, market conditions, etc. This means that there is no one optimal solution for CO₂ mitigation, but many scenarios where the injection of different fluids underground can be considered, including energy storage in the form of compressed gas, heat, or hydrogen.

The SI aims to gather various potentially viable and feasible CO2 mitigation, i.e., carbon capture and utilization schemes that contribute to the environmental and financial sustainability of industries currently labelled as a “pollutant”.

Innovative solutions for maintaining the sustainability of traditional industries and related emerging industries through CO₂ utilization schemes are welcome. The contributors are encouraged to suggest recent technical developments, case studies, analyses, reviews, and assessments relevant to CO₂ utilization scenarios.

In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following:

Carbon capture options in various industries and related challenges, chemical and physical CCU, co-optimizing, and the LCA of CO₂ EOR/EGR/ECBM, enhanced geothermal systems with possible combinations of energy storage and permanent CO2 storage, the technological and economic potential of other CO₂ utilization options (CO₂ methanation, CO₂ to methanol, biofuels from algae, BECCS, carbonation – primarily in waste-to-energy plants, food freezing, beverages carbonation, and polymer production), and issues such as legal framework related to CO₂, national CO₂ markets, and public communication and acceptance.

We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Prof. Dr. Domagoj Vulin
Dr. Jukić Lucija
Guest Editors

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