Biomass-based carbon capture and utilization in kraft pulp mills

Katja Kuparinen (), Esa Vakkilainen and Tero Tynjälä
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Katja Kuparinen: Lappeenranta University of Technology
Esa Vakkilainen: Lappeenranta University of Technology
Tero Tynjälä: Lappeenranta University of Technology

Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, 2019, vol. 24, issue 7, No 2, 1213-1230

Abstract: Abstract Corporate image, European Emission Trading System and Environmental Regulations, encourage pulp industry to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Kraft pulp mills produce CO2 mainly in combustion processes. The largest sources are the recovery boiler, the biomass boiler, and the lime kiln. Due to utilizing mostly biomass-based fuels, the CO2 is largely biogenic. Capture and storage of CO2 (CCS) could offer pulp and paper industry the possibility to act as site for negative CO2 emissions. In addition, captured biogenic CO2 can be used as a raw material for bioproducts. Possibilities for CO2 utilization include tall oil manufacturing, lignin extraction, and production of precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), depending on local conditions and mill-specific details. In this study, total biomass-based CO2 capture and storage potential (BECCS) and potential to implement capture and utilization of biomass-based CO2 (BECCU) in kraft pulp mills were estimated by analyzing the impacts of the processes on the operation of two modern reference mills, a Nordic softwood kraft pulp mill with integrated paper production and a Southern eucalyptus kraft pulp mill. CO2 capture is energy-intensive, and thus the effects on the energy balances of the mills were estimated. When papermaking is integrated in the mill operations, energy adequacy can be a limiting factor for carbon capture implementation. Global carbon capture potential was estimated based on pulp production data. Kraft pulp mills have notable CO2 capture potential, while the on-site utilization potential using currently available technologies is lower. The future of these processes depends on technology development, desire to reuse CO2, and prospective changes in legislation.

Keywords: Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage BECCS; Bioenergy with carbon capture and utilization BECCU; Kraft pulp mill; Climate change mitigation; Negative CO2 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (15)

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DOI: 10.1007/s11027-018-9833-9

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