There is growing demand and new business opportunities in carbon management. With Siemens Energy's proven, best in class compressor technologies, the company helps customers move towards decarbonizing their processes.
Siemens Energy's wide CO₂ compressor portfolio provides the most cost-effective compression solutions across a range of applications like: Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), CO₂ injection, or urea plants.
Siemens Energy recognizes that its customers are investing significant amounts of capital in decarbonizing their facilities, where a CO2 compressor will be at the heart of the plant.
The company provides customers with the right solution for the application drawn from its reciprocating, single‑shaft and integrally geared compressor portfolios. With the broadest application range in the industry, Siemens Energy provides flexible, tailored options to match every process.
Integrally geared compressors for CO2 compression in CCUS applications - a whitepaper
In this paper, Siemens Energy compares various CO2 compression technologies and highlights the advantages that integrally geared compressors (IGCs) offer in terms of efficiency, costs, flexibility, reliability, and footprint.
Integrally geared compressors for CO2 applications
Maintaining integrally geared compressors
References
World’s first large-scale direct air capture plant to use Siemens Energy equipment
Siemens Energy compressors will be used at Occidental's first large-scale Direct Air Capture (DAC) plant in Texas' Permian Basin developed by 1PointFive, a subsidiary of Occidental.
Snohvit / Hammerfest LNG
Scope: 2x integrally geared compressors with dry gas seals
The only existing subsea pipeline injection currently operating in the world. Natural Gas in the Snohvit field contains 5-8% CO₂ which is separated, compressed, liquefied and pumped back via subsea pipeline into reservoir
ION Clean Energy
Scope: Front End Engineering Design (FEED) study to support heat integration and optimization, compressor selection
DOE-supported design and costing study for retrofitting Nebraska Public Power District Gerald Gentleman Station with a 90% CO₂ capture system
FPSOs Pre-Salt
Scope: 4x compressor trains – high density centrifugal compressors for CO₂ re-injection service
Reduced capital expenditure, footprint, weight, and operating costs, while increasing reliability by eliminating the need to install, operate and maintain high-pressure injection pumping systems downstream of the compression system
CO2 enhanced oil recovery
Scope: Over 90 High Speed Reciprocating Compressors supplied to develop stranded reserves of oil from depleted reservoirs
Increased oil production with CO2 EOR
Steam methane reforming
CO2 compressor for carbon capture project for hydrogen producing steam methane reformers. The compressor supplies a high pressure CO2 pipeline for enhanced oil recovery.
1 million metric tons of CO2 captured and stored per year (>90% capture rate). The captured CO2 is expected to increase oil field output by 60-90 million barrels.
CO2 compressor services
Siemens Energy helps keep operations running smoothly with its CO₂ compressor services. From routine maintenance and diagnostics to full overhauls and emergency repairs, Siemens Energy’s team supports compressors to deliver peak performance and efficiency.
A CO2 compressor is a device used to compress carbon dioxide gas to a higher pressure. It is commonly used in various industrial applications, including refrigeration, beverage carbonation, and chemical processing.
The main difference between a CO2 compressor and an air compressor lies in the type of gas they compress. A CO2 compressor is specifically designed to handle carbon dioxide gas, while an air compressor is used to compress atmospheric air. Additionally, CO2 compressors often require special materials and design considerations to handle the unique properties of carbon dioxide, such as its higher density and potential for forming dry ice at low temperatures.
The applications include precooling and main refrigerant compression, CO2 (wet, supercritical) compression, CO2 capture compression, flue gas compression, and expanders.
A CO₂ compressor increases the pressure of carbon dioxide gas to make it easier to transport or store. It works by reducing the volume of CO₂ using mechanical energy, typically through rotary or reciprocating motion.
Efficiency varies by design and operating conditions, typically ranging from 70% to 85%. Advanced systems may achieve higher efficiencies with energy recovery technologies.
Pre-treatment (removal of impurities)
Multi-stage compression
Cooling between stages
Dehydration
Final pressurization for transport or storage
Impurities can corrode equipment, reduce compression efficiency, and compromise long-term storage integrity. Purification ensures safe and effective handling.
Post-combustion capture (amine scrubbing)
Pre-combustion capture (gasification)
Oxy-fuel combustion
Direct air capture (DAC)
Modern systems are increasingly efficient, especially when integrated with waste heat recovery and optimized multi-stage designs. Efficiency continues to improve with innovation.
Power generation
Cement and steel manufacturing
Oil and gas
Chemical production
Direct air capture facilities
It is transported via pipelines, ships, or tankers, and stored in geological formations like depleted oil fields or saline aquifers, or used in enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
