Carbon capture meets stainless steel: working towards a world that lasts forever

Carbon capture is a key step towards transforming the fossil fuel industry

In Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS), extracted carbon is stored or repurposed in order to prevent it from being released into the atmosphere. Extraction of CO2 is an essential phase in the production of fossil fuels, such as natural gas. CCUS is incorporated within the existing infrastructure of the fossil fuels industry, enabling safe and more sustainable practices.

Daniel Svedberg, of Outokumpu’s Market Development explains: “In a coal-fired power plant, for example, carbon capture can reduce the carbon emissions to almost zero.”Through a series of chemical and technical processes, Carbon Capture Systems isolate CO2 at its source, where it is then compressed into a dense/liquid phase. From there, it is transported through pipelines and pumped into geological rock formations, deep underneath seabeds, or back into established oil fields, aiding in field regeneration. Once further oil has been extracted, the carbon remains safely locked within the oil fields. Outokumpu have made it their mission to ensure this process is done with the safest and most sustainable materials available.

“When you think about where the industry is going, carbon capture is the obvious next step,” says Rodrigo Signorelli, Technical Manager of Marine & Energy at Outokumpu. “The next decades will see it being applied across the industry.”

Stainless steel is a safe, reliable, and extremely durable material for every step of CCUS 

Stainless steel is employed in nearly every step of CCUS: from equipment used for extraction of CO2, and the pipes that transport it, to the temporary storage facilities required to house it in transit. Pure CO2 may not be corrosive in and of itself, however impurities found in gas streams (such as H2S, chlorides, and sulphides), as well as solvents used in carbon extraction, can be highly corrosive over time.

Stainless steel is resilient enough for the job and offers unmatched corrosion resistance. At the same time, it is adaptable enough to withstand constantly changing high pressure, low temperature environments. 

A true carbon neutral process requires sustainable stainless steel

“The purpose of carbon capture is to reduce carbon emissions,” continues Svedberg. “It goes without saying that the company supplying the stainless steel for a process like CCUS must maintain equally sustainable values in every element of their own production processes.”

Outokumpu has the lowest carbon footprint in the stainless steel industry, with up to 95% recycled content and full recyclability of the end product. The company doesn’t just meet high sustainability standards—they exceed them, pushing the industry as a whole into a greener future. 

The future is now: paving the road to both innovation and adaptability

“Moving away from fossil fuels is not a process that can happen overnight,” says Signorelli. “What we can do is utilize and adapt the existing infrastructure in the interim.”

As the demand for carbon neutrality pressures industries around the world to cultivate sustainable practices, more and more companies will seek innovative ways to continue production within fossil fuels. Carbon capture is already recognized as a fundamental key to mitigating the effects of climate change in this framework. Research on CCUS includes and benefits from in-depth knowledge and understanding of different stainless steel grades for safe operations. “That is where we come in with our expertise,” says Svedberg. 

Outokumpu’s established research and development programs partner with leaders of oil and gas production who are already engaged in energy industry transformation. The aim is to match a range of specific CCUS applications with the most suitable stainless steel alloys and finishes. 

“This research plays a vital role in ensuring reliable carbon capture systems and helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industries,” Signorelli adds.