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CO2 Capture and Storage and the Industry of Carbon-Based Resources
Last Updated: 2026-02-05 15:55:04
Abstract
Carbon-based resources (coal, oil, gas): origin, production, processing, resource economics. Climate change: science, policies. CCS systems: CO2 capture in power/industrial plants, CO2 transport and storage. Besides technical details, economical, legal and societal aspects are considered (e.g. electricity markets, barriers to deployment).
Objective
The goal of the lecture is to introduce carbon dioxide capture and storage (CCS) systems, the technical solutions developed so far and the current research questions. This is done in the context of the origin, production, processing and economics of carbon-based resources, and of climate change issues. After this course, students are familiar with important technical and non-technical issues related to use of carbon resources, climate change, and CCS as a transitional mitigation measure. The class will be structured in 2 hours of lecture and one hour of exercises/discussion. At the end of the semester a group project is planned.
Content
Both the Swiss and the European energy system face a number of significant challenges over the coming decades. The major concerns are the security and economy of energy supply and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuels will continue to satisfy the largest part of the energy demand in the medium term for Europe, and they could become part of the Swiss energy portfolio due to the planned phase out of nuclear power. Carbon capture and storage is considered an important option for the decarbonization of the power sector and it is the only way to reduce emissions in CO2 intensive industrial plants (e.g. cement- and steel production). Building on the previously offered class "Carbon Dioxide Capture and Storage (CCS)", we have added two specific topics: 1) the industry of carbon-based resources, i.e. what is upstream of the CCS value chain, and 2) the science of climate change, i.e. why and how CO2 emissions are a problem. The course is devided into four parts: I) The first part will be dedicated to the origin, production, and processing of conventional as well as of unconventional carbon-based resources. II) The second part will comprise two lectures from experts in the field of climate change sciences and resource economics. III) The third part will explain the technical details of CO2 capture (current and future options) as well as of CO2 storage and utilization options, taking again also economical, legal, and sociatel aspects into consideration. IV) The fourth part will comprise two lectures from industry experts, one with focus on electricity markets, the other on the experiences made with CCS technologies in the industry. Throughout the class, time will be allocated to work on a number of tasks related to the theory, individually, in groups, or in plenum. Moreover, the students will apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the course in a case study covering all the topics.
Resources
Lecture Notes
Power Point slides and distributed handouts
Literature
IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5°C, 2018. http://www.ipcc.ch/report/sr15/ IPCC AR5 Climate Change 2014: Synthesis Report, 2014. www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/syr/ IPCC Special Report on Carbon dioxide Capture and Storage, 2005. www.ipcc.ch/activity/srccs/index.htm The Global Status of CCS: 2014. Published by the Global CCS Institute, Nov 2014. http://www.globalccsinstitute.com/publications/global-status-ccs-2014
General Information
- Language
- English
- Levels
- BSC , MSC
- Frequency
- Yearly recurring
Examination
- Type
- end-of-semester examination
Course Components
| Type | Title | Time & Place | Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| lecture with exercise | CO2 Capture and Storage and the Industry of Carbon-Based Resources |
|
3 h weekly |
Offered In
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Energy, Flows and Processes (Focus Coordinator: Prof. Christoph Müller In order to achieve the required 20 credit points for the Focus Specialization Energy, Flows and Processes you need to choose at least 2 core courses (W+) (HS/FS) and at least 2 of the elective courses (HS/FS), according to the presentation of the Focus Specialisation (see ). One course can be selected among all the courses offered by D-MAVT (Bachelors and Masters).)
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Energy, Flows and Processes (The courses listed in this category “Core Courses” are recommended. Alternative courses can be chosen in agreement with the tutor.)
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Core Courses (At least two core courses must be passed in each area. All students must participate in the course offered in the area "Interdisciplinary Energy Management")
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General Electives (Students may choose General Electives from the entire course programme of ETH Zurich - with the following restrictions: courses that belong to the first or second year of a Bachelor curriculum at ETH Zurich as well as courses from GESS "Science in Perspective" are not eligible here. The following courses are explicitly recommended to physics students by their lecturers. (Courses in this list may be assigned to the category "General Electives" directly in myStudies. For the category assignment of other eligible courses keep the choice "no category" and take contact with the Study Administration ( ) after having received the credits.))
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