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F.A.Q.




GENERAL INFORMATION
ABOUT
CARBON CAPTURE
UTILISATION AND STORAGE
(CCUS)


1.

WHAT IS CCUS ABOUT?

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage (CCUS) is a set of crucial technologies aimed at capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from point sources, especially industrial sources within the power, chemicals, cement, and steel sectors, to avoid the release of emissions into the atmosphere.

CCUS can be divided into two categories, namely Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) and Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) technologies.

CCS processes capture CO2, thus allowing its separation from other gases through one of three methods: pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxyfuel combustion. The captured CO2 is then transported to a suitable site for its final long-term storage (i.e. geological or ocean storage).

The carbon dioxide capture stage also occurs in CCU processes but, in this case, the captured CO2 is converted into other components and products, such as chemical feedstocks, fuels or building materials, which are otherwise typically derived from fossil-based resources. In addition to CO2, the inputs required for the conversion of CO2 are essentially energy and water.

Hence, CCS and CCU differ in the final destination of the captured CO2, namely long-term storage and conversion into products, respectively.

CO2Fokus aims at developing a CCU process.

2.

WHY ARE CCUS TECHNOLOGIES RELEVANT?

Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, due to the ever-increasing global energy demand, is posing a major challenge to mankind. “Greenhouse gases are those gaseous constituents of the atmosphere, both natural and anthropogenic, that absorb and emit radiation at specific wavelengths within the spectrum of terrestrial radiation emitted by the Earth’s surface, the atmosphere itself and by clouds. This property causes the greenhouse effect. Water vapour (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and ozone (O3) are the primary GHGs in the Earth’s atmosphere”. (IPCC , 2018: Annex I). The Paris Agreement has united more than 170 nations in taking action to slowing down climate change and adapting to its effects. The Agreement contains measures aiming to keep the temperature rise below 2 degrees Celsius compared to pre-industrial levels. Through the European Green Deal, the European Union has made a commitment to become climate-neutral, that is, with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. A strong reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from industry and energy sector (decarbonization) is crucial to reaching this ambitious goal. However, emissions from industrial processes can be hard to abate, as they result from chemical or physical reactions, which are vital to the processes themselves. For this reason, CCUS technologies are attracting growing attention, thanks to their potential to avoid that emissions of energy intensive industries enter the atmosphere.

3.

HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO CAPTURE CO2?

Since there is a wide range of CO2 emission sources, different capture systems were developed to better fit specific industries. Currently there are three main capturing methods, namely pre-combustion capture, post-combustion capture, and oxyfuel combustion. The pre-combustion method consists of pre-treating a fuel (solid, liquid, or gaseous) before combustion. This is carried out through a gasification process, which forms a synthesis gas (i.e., syngas) mainly consisting of CO and H2. Subsequently, by way of a water-gas shift reaction, a greater quantity of H2 is produced, and CO is converted into CO2. In such a mixture of H2 and CO2, high CO2 concentration allows its separation, by means of other technologies such as absorption by physical or chemical solvents and adsorption by porous organic materials. The post-combustion process occurs after combustion has taken place and consists of removing the CO2 from the flue gas. The removal of CO2 can occur through the following methods: absorption by chemical solvents, adsorption by solid sorbents, membrane separation, cryogenic separation, and pressure/vacuum swing adsorption. Finally, the oxyfuel combustion process consists of burning a fuel with pure oxygen, which has been previously separated from air. This process generates a flue gas mainly made of CO2, water, particulates, and sulphur dioxide, but free from nitrogen and its compounds. Particulates and sulphur dioxide can be removed through conventional electrostatic precipitation, and desulphurization methods. The remaining gas has a high concentrations of CO2, and can be compressed, transported, and stored. The method to be used in the CO2Fokus project is post-combustion since its aim is to use the CO2 from industrial processes to convert it into Dimethyl Ether (DME).




CO2FOKUS:
WHAT IS IT ABOUT?


4.

WHAT DOES CO2FOKUS STAND FOR?

It stands for “CO2 utilisation focused on market relevant dimethyl ether production, via 3D printed reactor – and solid oxide cell – based technologies”.

5.

WHAT IS CO2FOKUS ABOUT?

CO2Fokus aims at developing a sustainable, energy efficient, and economically viable technology to convert industrial CO2 into Dimethyl Ether (DME). The main project features and goals are:

  • CO2 utilization as raw material
  • Market-relevant dimethyl ether production by means of a commercially viable process for the direct DME production using CO2 as feedstock.

3D printed reactor and solid oxide cells are the key innovative technologies that will allow to obtain DME from CO2 and water. This cutting-edge technology includes both catalytic chemical and electrochemical conversion. The project entails the development, manufacturing (via 3D printing), and optimisation of a multi-channel catalytic reactor with highly favourable properties, to achieve a cost effective, single step DME production. In addition, CO2Fokus aims at developing and manufacturing a competitive solid oxide cell (SOC) system with optimal stacking and operation, tailored to the production of DME.

The CO2Fokus project will tackle the main technological challenges facing both multichannel reactors and SOCs, which include efficiency issues relating to the inadequate performance of the chemical conversion, and the high cost associated with the catalysts. CO2Fokus will tackle these issues by producing new catalytic, high performance materials through innovative 3D printing technology.

6.

WHAT IS DME AND WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

Dimethyl Ether (DME) is the simplest of the ethers; its average lifetime in the atmosphere is very low (approximately 5 days) and its environmental impact, based on the Global Warming Potential (GWP) indicator, is lower than CO2, CH4 and N2O. It is neither a toxic nor a carcinogenic molecule. Furthermore, DME is not environmentally harmful because it does not lead to the formation of ozone. DME is commercially produced by converting natural gas, coal, or renewable feedstock (biomass or organic waste) into syngas. This syngas is then converted to DME through two steps. First is the transformation of syngas to methanol, and then methanol is dehydrated. These steps are carried out in two different reactors. This overall process is called indirect conversion. DME is employed in the chemical industry and in the energy sector. In the chemical industry, it is commonly used as chemical feedstock or as an intermediate for the production of products such as petrol, aromatics and olefins. It can also be used as a clean and efficient fuel characterized by high cetane number, a positive combustion profile and extremely low toxicity, without even requiring a change in the existing infrastructure grid due to storage and handling in a similar manner to Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG). Furthermore, it can also be used as aerosol propellant and for other production processes requiring heat.

7.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIRECT AND INDIRECT CO2 CONVERSION TO DME?

The synthesis of DME can be carried out either in a two-step process (indirect conversion) or in a single-step process (direct conversion). In the conventional method, namely indirect conversion, methanol is first synthesized over a metallic-based catalyst through CO2 hydrogenation, and then it is dehydrated into DME over solid acid catalysts.

For the direct synthesis of DME, the two steps of methanol synthesis and its dehydration are integrated over one system within a one single reactor that allows both “functions”.

This alternative to the two-step process is attractive because of its potentially higher CO2 conversion and DME selectivity. Furthermore, the use of a single reactor may reduce costs of DME production.

8.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE CO2FOKUS PROCESS FOR CONVERTING CO2 INTO DME?

CO2Fokus has the potential to significantly contribute towards the global shift to more sustainable and lower-carbon technologies, and to enhance circular economy. It aims at developing an innovative and sustainable process for the direct DME production using CO2 as feedstock instead of syngas.

Since DME production can take place locally, and there is a variety of local CO2 sources, the cost of DME can be less dependent on geopolitical trends. Furthermore, the direct synthesis of DME through simultaneous methanol dehydration and CO2/CO hydrogenation has a high energy conversion efficiency.

DME as an alternative fuel combines advantages of two energy carriers, namely hydrogen and methanol. The first does not need pumping, in the processes where it is used, while the latter has a high energy density.

Finally, the CO2 conversion technology proposed by CO2Fokus is highly innovative and will be readily scalable, with a high degree of flexibility to handle CO2 feedstocks from a variety of industrial sources.

9.

WHAT ARE THE EXPECTED RESULTS?

The main results CO2Fokus aims to achieve are:

  • Improved catalysts materials – allowing a cost – efficient direct conversion of CO2 to DME;
  • Direct hydrogenation of CO2 to DME allowing the valorisation of industrial flue gas and CO2 sources, and opening a new pathway for producing DME;
  • Advanced multichannel reactors for CO2 conversion to facilitate the one-step conversion reaction, with better control of mass and heat transfer, and consequently, cost reductions;
  • Co-SOEC for CO2 conversion and DME use is a very promising green route to use renewable energy sources to convert steam and CO2 captured from industrial sources into transportation fuel or chemical products;
  • CO2Fokus process design and intensification – will allow the integration of industrial CO2 point sources, and advanced multichannel printed reactors, with H2 supplied from SOC stack. The development and scaling up of the SOC stacks shall increase power and lifetime for more efficient durable operation;
  • Tailor-made membranes of CO2Fokus will enhance the conversion process through selective separation of products at lower temperatures and pressure, and thus reducing operational costs.




SPECIFIC AND TECHNICAL
INFORMATION ABOUT
CO2FOKUS PROJECT?


10.

WHAT IS THE HYDROGENATION OF CO2?

Hydrogenation of CO2 is, in general, a process to convert CO2 feedstocks into added-value products, such as DME. 

In CO2Fokus, hydrogenation of CO2 involves both (catalytic) chemical and electrochemical conversion. The hydrogen needed for the conversion process can be produced through either renewable or non-renewable sources.

Six moles of hydrogen are necessary to produce one mol of DME. Therefore, hydrogen shall be produced using renewable energy sources for the CO2 hydrogenation to become a valuable strategy, and in alignment with European goals of hydrogen use in the conversion of captured CO2 from renewable energy. Hence, hydrogen will be generated electrochemically from H2O using SOEC systems of a leading technology partners in the CO2Fokus project.

11.

WHAT ARE SOLID OXIDE CELLS?

The solid oxide cell technology includes two categories, namely Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells (SOEC) and Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cells are electrochemical devices usually made of ceramic materials.

The electrochemical process inside the Solid Oxide Electrolysis cell is a high temperature conversion of steam to hydrogen, by providing electrical and thermal energy. The reverse process is called Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) operation, where H2 is consumed to produce H2O (and CO2), in addition to electrical and thermal energy.

Furthermore, solid oxide cell technologies can be used to convert CO2 and steam into a mixture of CO and H2. This process is defined as co-electrolysis of CO2 and H2O (co-SOE). The CO2 to H2O ratio used in the co-SOE process can be adjusted to produce syngas, fuels or other chemical products.

12.

WHY DO WE USE 3D PRINTING?

In CO2Fokus, 3D printed technologies are used to produce structured (monolith or honeycomb) catalytic materials for the multichannel reactors.   

The 3D printed structured monolithic catalyst offer superior performance due to high geometric surface area, high mass transfer rates and easier scale-up. Furthermore, they allow easy product and catalyst separation, which has a direct effect on the sustainability and cost of the process.

In CO2Fokus, this structured catalysts will be directly printed in various patterns and compositions. The printed catalyst structures will be inserted in single and multi-channel reactors for testing and scaling-up. CO2Fokus will use a state-of-the-art micro extrusion 3D-printing technique, developed by a reading R&D partner. This allows flexible designs with a high degree of control of flow dynamics and mixing, and with excellent reproducibility for a wide range of materials.

13.

HOW CAN THE TECHNOLOGY BE EASILY INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING PRODUCTION SYSTEMS?

CO2Fokus will demonstrate the integration of DME production units into existing carbon-intensive industrial facilities, for onsite conversion of CO2. In particular, CO2Fokus intends to demonstrate the scalability of modular units at the facilities of CO2Fokus’ partner PETKIM. This will help showcase the technology adoption at carbon intensive industrial sites, to generate value from CO2 emissions by converting it to added products for chemistry and fuels for transport and energy sectors.

Schematic diagram of process for the demonstration in an industrial environment with a CO2 point source.  [Source: CO2Fokus Grant Agreement] 

ABBREVIATIONS LIST

SOURCES

CCUS

Carbon Capture, Utilisation, and Storage

CCS

Carbon Capture and Storage

CCU

Carbon Capture and Utilization

CO2

Carbon Dioxide

H2

Hydrogen

CO

Carbon Monoxide

DME

Dimethyl Ether

CH4

Methane

N2O

Nitrous Oxide

SOC

Solid Oxide Cell

SOEC

Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell

SOFC

Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

SOE

Solid Oxide Electrolysis

co-SOE

co-Electrolysis

LPG

Liquid Petroleum Gas
CO2Fokus project description: https://www.co2fokus.eu
Rosa M. Cuéllar-Franca, Adisa Azapagic, Carbon capture, storage and utilisation technologies: A critical analysis and comparison of their life cycle environmental impacts, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2015.
Dennis Y.C. Leung, Giorgio Caramanna, M. Mercedes Maroto-Valer, An overview of current status of carbon dioxide capture and storage technologies, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 2014.
Miao Liu, Yanhui Yi, Li Wang, Hongchen Guo, Annemie Bogaerts, Hydrogenation of Carbon Dioxide to Value-Added Chemicals by Heterogeneous Catalysis and Plasma Catalysis, Catalysts 2019.
Carbon Capture & Storage Association (CCSA): https://www.ccsassociation.org
CO2 Value Europe: https://www.co2value.eu

cO2FOKUS

info@co2fokus.eu

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement n. 838061

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