Carbonate sequestration and CO2 pipeline logistics for the PJM region

Publisher Summary CO2 sequestration using carbonate mineralization and employing locally available sources for ultramafic rock was investigated for 300-MW and larger pulverized-coal fired power plants in the U.S. EPA Region II network known as PJM. PJM could deliver up to 147 × 10–3 Metric tons of CO2 daily and using nearby ultramafic resources it is technically feasible to provide all the resources for sequestering this volume of CO2 through mineralization. A Pennsylvania-based central carbonate formation facility located near Allentown, PA would be an appropriate host site for a central carbonate formation plant since Allentown is near the weighted geographical epicenter for the CO2 sources and is accessible to nearby zones in which the carbonates could be stored after formation. The proposed pipeline routes will follow existing right-of-way corridors and permission will need to be secured for 800 km of pipeline ranging in size from 10 to 48 inches. All but 135 km of this right-of-way will be subject to the rigorous administrative safety reviews now mandated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The capture was considered to be $42 per metric ton of CO2 using an oxy-fired fuel approach. These costs could come down significantly with success in ongoing research.