Economic and Practical Feasibility of Co2 Sequestration
Abstract:
This study examines the economic and practical feasibility of CO2 sequestration, which includes the costs of capture, transport, and storage. Particular attention is paid to the impact of the concentration of CO2 in the effluent stream, which can significantly impact the cost of separation. We collected data from across the world for 2024 to calculate the cost of sequestration. We assume that it is logical to first sequester relatively pure sources of CO2 before choosing lower concentration CO2 sources. Results show a clear inverse relationship: high-purity industrial streams from ethanol (~99%), ammonia (~95%), and ethylene oxide (~90%) plants achieve a total sequestration cost of about $5-$21 billion depending on the scenario. Medium-concentration industries such as cement (~30%) and steel (~23.5%) require a total CO2 sequestration cost of about $209 $256 billion, adding up to tens of billions of dollars. Removing CO2 from coal-fired power (~14%) approaches $1.5 trillion in total sequestration costs, while direct air capture of CO2 sequestration is about 7 trillion. Removing CO2 from all the sources will require an annual cost between $9 and $12 trillion. These costs are prohibitively expensive and impractical. Projects such as Sleipner (~$17 per ton) and Decatur, Illinois, confirm that long-term CO2 storage can be achieved securely. The cumulative cost analysis shows that while high-pu rity sources are limited in scale, they represent the most practical near-term opportunities. Low-concentration and diffuse sources remain very expensive without major advances in technology and stronger policy support.
