Separation of carbon dioxide from a gas stream followed by transport and storage intended to prevent its atmospheric release. Post-combustion capture treats flue gas after fuel burning. Capture fraction differs from emissions reduction per unit delivered energy because capture, regeneration and compression consume energy. Storage integrity, monitoring and upstream emissions remain part of the assessment.
Carbon dioxide utilization uses captured carbon dioxide as a feedstock or working material. Chemical conversion can produce fuels and other compounds; mineralization can incorporate carbon into inorganic materials. These routes differ in their energy requirements and in how long the carbon remains out of the atmosphere.[ref]
CO2 Utilization by the United States Department of Energy. CO2 feedstocks, reduction intermediates and energy inputs
[ref]Carbon Conversion by the United States Department of Energy. Mineralization pathways
Reducing carbon dioxide to an energy-rich fuel requires an external energy supply. Burning that fuel later can return the carbon to the atmosphere, so utilization is not automatically permanent carbon capture and storage. A life-cycle assessment must compare the whole process with a stated alternative, including energy generation, capture, conversion and product use.
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