Context
India’s First CO2-to-Methanol Pilot Plant proposed in Pune, Maharashtra
About CO2-to-Methanol Conversion Plant:
- A CO2-to-Methanol plant with a capacity of 1.4 tons per day is being developed under a Public-Private Partnership with the support of the Department of Science and Technology.
- CO2-to-Methanol Conversion Process
- Carbon Utilization Technologies, such as CO2-to-Methanol, are currently less developed than carbon capture technologies.
- The process involves capturing CO2 emissions from industrial sources (e.g., power plants) or directly from the air through direct air capture technologies.
- The captured CO2 is then hydrogenated (reacted with hydrogen) to produce methanol.
- This process has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a sustainable fuel source.
- The Pune plant will enhance India’s Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies, contributing to India’s Panchamrit declaration goals.
About Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage (CCUS)
- CCUS refers to a group of technologies designed to capture CO2 from large and stationary sources like fossil fuel-based power plants and industries.
- Captured CO2 is transported via pipelines, ships, rail, or trucks to sites where it can be utilized or stored.
- Utilization involves using CO2 in mineral, biological, or chemical processes.
- Storage includes injecting CO2 into geological formations or depleted oil/gas fields for permanent containment and trapping of CO2.
- The process supports efforts to reduce industrial emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Source:
TH
Previous Year Question
Consider the following activities:
1. Spreading finely ground basalt rock on farmlands extensively
2. Increasing the alkalinity of oceans by adding lime
3. Capturing carbon dioxide released by various industries and pumping it into abandoned subterranean mines in the form of carbonated waters
How many of the above activities are often considered and discussed for carbon capture and sequestration?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer: (c)
