50 TEXAS JOURNAL OF OIL , GAS , AND ENERGY LAW [ Vol . 16:1
a significant break-through in the capture and separation process by applying a new patent-pending technique to capture flue gas . 25 This new process captured CO 2 emissions up to six-times more effectively than conventional amine-based carbon capture technology , as described above . 26 Exxon ’ s vice president of research and development summarized the significance of Exxon ’ s development as follows : “ This innovative hybrid porous material has so far proven to be more effective , requires less heating and cooling , and captures more CO 2 than current materials .” 27
Alternatively , the pre-combustion capture method involves introducing the fuel source to a stream of air or steam , which produces a separate stream of CO 2 that can be transported for storage , disposal , or utilization . 28 This approach is available to coal-powered plants today using existing CCUS technology . 29 Generally , the coal-powered plants use a process called “ gasification ” or “ partial oxidation ,” which involves introducing the coal to a combination of steam and oxygen under high temperatures and pressures , resulting in a synthetic fuel consisting of mainly carbon monoxide and hydrogen . 30 The synthetic gas is then treated to remove impurities and introduced to steam . 31 When steam is applied to the carbon monoxide , the carbon monoxide is converted to CO 2 to result in a mixture of CO 2 and hydrogen . 32 The mixture is then exposed to a solvent that captures the CO 2 and produces a stream of hydrogen that can be burned in a combined-cycle power plant to generate electricity . 33 Meanwhile , the captured CO 2 may be sold for EOR or utilization purposes or sequestered . An example of this technology is found at the Great Plains plant in North Dakota . The Great Plains project applies the above noted gasification process to lignite coal to create both synthetic natural gas that is then sold in the natural gas market and CO 2 which is sold to E & P companies for EOR operations . 34
25 . Exxon Mobil Uncovers New Carbon Capture Technique for Power Plants , HART ENERGY ( July 24 , 2020 , 8:23 AM ), https :// www . hartenergy . com / news / exxon-mobil-uncovers-new-carbon-capturetechnique-power-plants-188770 . 26 . Id . 27 . Id . 28 . FOLGER , supra note 11 , at 4 . 29 . Id . 30 . Id . 31 . Id . 32 . Id . 33 . Id . At the time of this article , additional tax incentives are being developed for hydrogen production . Bracewell has been instrumental in developing the incentives for hydrogen production . Stakeholders seeking to learn more about hydrogen production incentives should contact Bracewell .
34 . The pre-combustion process used at the Great Plains plant is important to stakeholders for purposes of this paper because it provides an example of the opportunity for operators engaged in coal mining operations to realize the advantages of CCUS technology , as well as the opportunity to partner with other energy infrastructure stakeholders that were previously viewed as competitors .