Final Product Proposal

Introduction and Statement of Purpose

        The mass production of energy for our growing society has led to an increase in the release of greenhouse gases, especially carbon dioxide. This buildup of CO2 in the atmosphere can lead to detrimental environmental effects as the core temperature of the Earth rises. While renewable energy sources that do not produce greenhouse gases seem like viable alternatives, it is very difficult to produce the amount of power necessary for our society with these newer forms of energy. Thus was born carbon capture technology that works to capture the carbon dioxide released from power plants and factories before it enters the atmosphere, and transport it through pipelines to areas where the carbon dioxide can be placed underground, far away from harming the environment on the Earth’s surface. While the United States has a network of CO2 pipelines that work to accomplish this goal, this network is limited and does not encompass the Northeastern region of the U.S. where so much CO2 is being produced. 

        This final product will encompass my abilities to research, analyze data and situation, and implement a plan, all skills exhibited by a successful chemical engineer. With the guidance of my mentor, Dr. Tim Barckholtz, I will create a map of possible CO2 pipelines throughout the U.S. that will work to reduce carbon emissions through the process of carbon sequestration. This process will include examining current CO2 pipelines, determining areas of high CO2 output, and analyzing the data regarding the amount of pipeline required to connect possible new pipelines to the existing carbon capture infrastructure. An additional facet to this project will encompass analyzing the importance of constructing each of these pipelines, examining the costs of construction/ production, and overall creating a plan for the implementation of these new pipelines throughout the U.S. 

 

Review of Skills and Research 

        In order to develop and understand a quality product I will need to first improve my knowledge of carbon capture and sequestration. This will be accomplished by reading numerous books and articles over the subject and talking with my mentor to answer my questions regarding this particular area. Not only will I need to read and understand these articles or books, I will also need to utilize my previous skills of research analysis learned through ISM in order to fully comprehend the information I am taking in. 

        The first portion of my project includes working heavily with excel and programming languages such as Java and Python to analyze current pipelines and determine their distance from places of high CO2 production. While I have some knowledge of both Excel and programming I will need to refresh these skills as I dive deeper into this project. The key to a successful completion of this project is being able to analyze all of the data I am looking at in an accurate and complete manner that will allow me to simplify and map data points creating a quality project. 

The skills that I have been learning in ISM are also vital to the success of this project as I will need to utilize my professionalism, research abilities, time management skills, and my knowledge of how to complete a quality product. 

 

Methodology

Materials: 

• Data

  • Pipeline data from Dr. Tim Barckholtz

  • Emissions data from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

• Programming software that utilizes either Java, Python, or C++

• Mapping software 

• The latest version of Microsoft Excel 

Description of Process and Procedures:

        This process while seemingly long will allow me to produce a quality product that will provide me with skills I will use throughout my future. Since Dr. Barckholtz is so familiar with the area I am working with and first introduced me to this project, his guidance and advice throughout this process will be instrumental to my success. 

In order to produce a quality product I will need to:

• Extend my knowledge of carbon capture and sequestration in order to comprehend what I am working to accomplish. 

• Analyze data including current pipelines and areas of high CO2 production to determine the distance from these areas to the present infrastructure. 

• Plan the best route and size of certain pipelines to maximize carbon capture while minimizing costs and quantity of pipelines. 

• Research and analyze the costs for building the planned pipelines and create data showing the most expensive pipelines versus the benefit of installing said pipelines.

• Create a map that shows the newly planned pipelines and an implementation plan that describes which pipelines should go in first in order to decrease carbon emissions. 

 

Utilization of Higher Level Thinking Skills

        I plan to utilize numerous higher level thinking skills when constructing my product including analyzing, planning, constructing, among many others. The first portion of this project will exercise my ability to analyze and interpret data in a cohesive manner as I plan to work through different lists of data to move on to latter parts of my project. In addition, I will need to complete careful planning and construction in order to bring my final product to fruition as I will need to find creative ways to represent my plan for these pipelines and create a product that can be understood by others. Throughout my project, my familiarity with programming, graphics, and excel will continue to improve, allowing me to focus not only on the science and engineering aspects of this project, but also the more technical side. 

 

Conclusions

        The outcome of this project will include a map of new pipelines, throughout the southern U.S., that work to reduce carbon emissions, along with a cost benefit analysis of these pipelines, and a plan as to when and how they should be implemented. This information and data will hopefully be utilized by companies like Exxonmobil, where my mentor works, to construct a set of pipelines throughout the U.S. utilizing the carbon capture and storage technology, which will continue to reduce carbon emissions into our atmosphere. While this project will provide me with further development of  important problem solving skills and engineering principles, my hope is that this project will also further the initiative to reduce carbon emissions throughout our country having a positive effect on our environment.