Carbon Capture & CO₂ Compression Equipment worked example

CO₂ Compressor Power with co₂ compressor power draw of 30 kW: a worked example

What does the result look like when co₂ compressor power draw reaches 30 kW? The full calculation is worked below with real intermediate numbers. Use it when co₂ compressor power in carbon capture and co₂ compression equipment is up for an upgrade and you want a defensible savings story.

The inputs for this scenario

  • CO₂ compressor power draw: 30 kW (raised for this scenario; the documented default is 12)
  • Compression runtime: 8 hr (unchanged)
  • Electricity price: 0.12 $ / kWh (unchanged)
  • CO₂ compressed: 1,000 t CO₂ (unchanged)

Working through the calculation

  • Applying the documented formula (CO₂ compression electricity cost = CO₂ compressor power draw × compression runtime × electricity price) to the inputs above produces each figure below.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 28.8 $ for co₂ compression electricity cost, the number this scenario is built around.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 240 kWh for compressor energy used.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 0.03 $ / piece for compression electricity cost per tonne co₂.
  • At this operating point the engine returns 3.6 $ / hr for hourly compressor electricity cost.

How this compares with the baseline

  • Against the tool's baseline example, where co₂ compressor power draw sits at 12 kW and the headline result is 11.52 $, this scenario comes in 150% above the baseline at 28.8 $.
  • A figure at this level is achievable when co₂ compressor power draw is genuinely sustained, not just peaked for a shift. It uses a single average power draw; real multi-stage compressors swing with suction pressure, intercooling and the CO₂ phase target, so a flat draw smooths over those variations.

Results at a glance

  • CO₂ compression electricity cost: 28.8 $ (headline result)
  • Compressor energy used: 240 kWh
  • Compression electricity cost per tonne CO₂: 0.03 $ / piece
  • Hourly compressor electricity cost: 3.6 $ / hr

Run it with your numbers

  • Every input above is editable in the live CO₂ Compressor Power calculator, which recalculates instantly and can be shared with the inputs intact.

Last reviewed 2026-05-12.