CO2 capture and storage technologies: an overview based on patent literature

The increased concentration of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere is deemed one of the main causes of global warming. For that reason, the reduction of CO2 emission levels through capture or separation and storage or re-utilization technologies has become one of the major industry research projects over the last two decades. CO2 can be captured by means of pre- and post-combustion technologies, using solvents, solid sorbents and membranes. Upon capture, CO2 can be stored underground or converted into useful and high-value-added compounds such as propylene, methanol, styrene and amines. The analysis of the patent literature gives the opportunity to know more about the technical improvements in this field. Starting from a recent scientific paper, authors aim to identify possible gaps and overlaps between IPC and CPC classification codes related to CO2 capture and storage technologies. As reported in the latest publications, CPC classification codes related to such technologies are very detailed and sharp, while the IPC classification seem more vague. Authors want to define a search strategy integrating CPC codes (Y02C 10/10, B01D 53/00 and related subgroups) with IPC classification codes, other than keywords, related to CO2 capture and storage technologies. Authors used a specific database, Orbit provided by Questel. The aim of the work is to identify a pool of documents as consistent as possible with the object of the search. Most of the patent activity is directed to absorption and adsorption chemical processes. The main priority countries are the USA, Japan, China and South Korea. The expected more consistent and exhaustive pool of patents is used for further activities. First of all, a comparison with the results and the statistics coming from the only-CPC patent search will be performed and then a preliminary assessment of the maturity level of such technologies through logistic regression analysis will be executed.