Source-sink matching and cluster deployment of carbon capture, utilization, and storage in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region

Abstract

In the context of the “dual carbon” (carbon peak and carbon neutrality) strategy, the carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) is one of the key technologies for achieving large-scale low-carbon utilization of fossil energy. In recent years, the CCUS has shown a trend of scaling and clustering development. The scientific and reasonable source-sink matching for the CCUS is an important basis for the site selection of the CCUS cluster deployment projects, and can establish some efficient pipe networks and reduce the emission reduction costs of CCUS. Ningxia is an important guarantee base for the strategic layout of national energy security, facing an enormous pressure of CO2 emission reduction due to its obvious characteristics of coal-oriented energy structure and industrial structure. In view of the source-sink matching problem of CCUS cluster deployment in Ningxia, the characteristics of industrial carbon emission sources and geological carbon sink potential in Ningxia were investigated and evaluated, and the CCSU source-sink matching model was constructed. Then, based on a full consideration of source and sink properties, costs of capture, transport, and storage, transportation distance. regional geographical conditions, land use types, population density, etc. the source-sink matching optimization and application scheme in Ningxia were obtained using the improved mileage saving method and the lowest cost path optimization method based on GIS (geographic information system), combining ArcGIS platform and optimization solution software. Finally, the suggestions for the CCUS cluster deployment in Ningxia were presented. The results show that as of 2021, Ningxia has 107 industrial carbon emission sources, with a total carbon emission of 226 million tonnes per year, mainly from the chemical industry (including self-owned power plants) and the power industry. The main geological bodies for storage in Ningxia include deep saltwater layers, deep non-exploitable coal seams, and oil and gas reservoirs. The theoretical geological storage capacity of CO2 is 15.155 billion tonnes, with the deep saltwater layer having the greatest storage potential. The CCUS source-sink matching in Ningxia is well. In the case of direct connection of sources and sinks, the total cost of CCUS cluster deployment (30 years planning period) of large industrial carbon emission source with annual emission of over 100 000 tonnes in Ningxia is about 2.45 trillion yuan, mainly from capture costs, which accounting for 83.65%. The unit emission reduction cost of CCUS is 402.32 yuan/t, and a total of 2 459 km of CO2 transportation pipelines need to be constructed. The improved mileage saving method and the lowest cost path optimization method based on GIS can significantly reduce the total cost of CCUS cluster deployment after optimization, the unit emission reduction cost of CCUS is reduced to 381.76 yuan/t, and the pipeline construction mileage reduced by 938 km. Ningxia should focus on its “two high” (high energy consumption, high emissions) industries, such as power industry and chemical industry. The application of CCUS technology in the northern and eastern regions, should be in advance to create five characteristic CCUS clusters, including Ningdong energy chemical industry base, Yinchuan-Wuzhong, Shizuishan, Zhongwei, and Guyuan. Then, the engineered full flowsheet technology of CCUS technology model is established with Ningxia’s characteristics.

Keywords

• carbon capture, utilization, and storage
• source-sink matching
• pipe network optimization
• ccus cluster deployment
• ningxia