Post-combustion carbon capture is a method of collecting carbon dioxide emissions that are produced from the burning of fossil fuels. This method can be used on large-scale emission points like coal and gas-powered plants or the manufacturing of industrial materials like cement. Post-combustion carbon capture systems serve to prevent carbon from entering the atmosphere and are often retrofitted onto older carbon exhaust systems.

In the process, exhaust gases from burning fossil fuels are channelled into a capturing container. Through the use of a liquid solvent as a filter, carbon is separated and absorbed from the other gases as they make their way up and out of the chimney. Typically this method can prevent 80 to 90 percent of carbon from being emitted into the atmosphere.

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Other Sources

“Capture.” Global CCS Institute. https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/content/capture. Accessed August 18, 2016.

Government of Canada. “Post Combustion CO2 Capture.” Ministry of Natural Resources. http://www.nrcan.gc.ca/energy/coal/carbon-capture-storage/4321. Accessed August 17, 2016.