Comparative Assessment of Post-Combustion and Pre-Combustion Carbon Capture Technologies

With the growing concern over carbon dioxide emissions in recent years, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technology, as a highly promising method for mitigating climate change, has received increasing attention, and related research has also been on the rise. This review focuses on a comparative analysis between pre-combustion and post-combustion carbon capture technologies, concerning aspects such as economic costs, carbon dioxide capture efficiency, and deployment applicability. The review first outlines the basic processes involved in the two technologies and compares their operational mechanisms and associated technologies. Then, based on a standardized case study of a 230MW coal-fired power plant, a further detailed comparison was carried out through simulation and cost analysis to evaluate CO capture efficiency, total captured volume, and related costs. The analysis shows that while post-combustion offers slightly higher capture efficiency, pre-combustion has significant advantages in energy conservation and cost-effectiveness under high-pressure conditions. Moreover, post-combustion systems are better suited for retrofitting existing power plants because of their simpler design, whereas pre-combustion systems are more appropriate for new installations. The review concludes that both of these carbon capture technologies are viable, mainly depending on specific project requirements and infrastructure environment. This review provides a certain reference value for policymakers and engineers on how to select the suitable carbon capture technology, and highlights the significance of integrating technical, economic, and environmental factors during the deployment of CCS technology.