Advancements in the Application of CO2 Capture and Utilization Technologies—A Comprehensive Review

Addressing escalating energy demands and greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry has driven extensive efforts in carbon capture and utilization (CCU), focusing on power plants and industrial facilities. However, utilizing CO2 as a raw material to produce valuable chemicals, materials, and fuels for transportation may offer a more sustainable and long-term solution than sequestration alone. This approach also presents promising alternatives to traditional chemical feedstock in industries such as fine chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and polymers. This review comprehensively outlines the current state of CO2 capture technologies, exploring the associated challenges and opportunities regarding their efficiency and economic feasibility. Specifically, it examines the potential of technologies such as chemical looping, membrane separation, and adsorption processes, which are advancing the frontiers of CO2 capture by enhancing efficiency and reducing costs. Additionally, it explores the various methods of CO2 utilization, highlighting the potential benefits and applications. These methods hold potential for producing high-value chemicals and materials, offering new pathways for industries to reduce their carbon footprint. The integration of CO2 capture and utilization is also examined, emphasizing its potential as a cost-effective and efficient approach that mitigates climate change while converting CO2 into a valuable resource. Finally, the review outlines the challenges in designing, developing, and scaling up CO2 capture and utilization processes, providing a comprehensive perspective on the technical and economic challenges that need to be addressed. It provides a roadmap for technologies, suggesting that their successful deployment could result in significant environmental benefits and encourage innovation in sustainable practices within the energy and chemical sectors.