We are finding ways to provide cleaner products to our customers, such as removing sulphur and enabling the cleaner use of coal.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) could be removing over 10 billion tonnes of CO2 emissions a year by 2050 if rapid deployment starts this decade, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
CCS involves capturing CO2 from major industrial plants such as power stations, refineries and chemical plants and storing it safely underground. The technology is already in use today.
But with a wide range of geological variations around the world a number of technical challenges remain to ensure the safe, large-scale and long-term underground storage of CO2. We are involved in a number of demonstration projects around the world to advance CCS and we have taken firm steps towards several major CCS projects.
More sulphur is being extracted from oil to make cleaner transport fuels and reduce the sulphur dioxide in the atmosphere. We put the sulphur to good use, for example by combining it with asphalt to make road surfaces more durable.
We have also developed sulphur concrete. This is tougher than traditional concrete and can withstand acidic and salty conditions, making it excellent for sea defences and waterworks. It also generates 30-50% fewer CO2 emissions compared to the traditional production of concrete.
Coal storage facility at the Yueyang Coal Gasification plant.
Coal is the world’s cheapest and most abundant fossil fuel. But burning it releases greenhouse gases, toxic heavy metals, and sulphur, a major cause of acid rain. Our technology can now turn virtually any coal – even the lowest, dirtiest grades – into synthesis gas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide that burns as cleanly as natural gas.
