Periodic Reporting for period 1 - AURORA (Accelerated deployment of integrated CCUS chains based on solvent capture technology)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-06-30
Emission of greenhouse gases, and CO2 in particular, increases the Earth's average temperature, contributing to climate change. A growing concern has arisen in recent years regarding high CO2-emitting industries such as cement and refining. Additionally, particular attention should be paid to CO2 emissions from material recycling processes, as this is a rapidly expanding market within the circular economy. For these industries, carbon capture and storage (CCS) is a way of reducing CO2 emissions into the atmosphere. However, solvent-based CO2 capture technology must be improved, mainly to reduce costs and widen its usage throughout various industries. The AURORA project aims to bring a CO2 capture technology based on the so-called CESAR1 solvent to commercial deployment. This requires further solvent optimisation and qualification. The project also addresses optimisations on the carbon capture process and operation, targeting significant cost reductions. Furthermore, new digital solutions for advanced model-based process control and optimisation will improve the solvent-based CO2 capture process.
All refinements will be validated and demonstrated at three different sites. A test campaign will be first launched at the Tiller pilot plant located at the SINTEF CO2LAB in Trondheim, Norway. The TCM plant in Norway will then be used to evaluate performance and demonstrate the advantages of the AURORA technology for large-scale industrial projects. The AURORA technology will even be demonstrated at the site of two of the plant owners in AURORA using a mobile unit owned by Aker Carbon Capture.
Finally, without limiting itself to carbon capture, AURORA will carry out studies on using and storing the captured carbon. Overall, the AURORA technology is expected to increase cost-efficiency by 50% and CO2 capture rates from 90 to 98%. Reaching such targets will boost the technology uptake by concerned industries for a global reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
All refinements will be validated and demonstrated at three different sites. A test campaign will be first launched at the Tiller pilot plant located at the SINTEF CO2LAB in Trondheim, Norway. The TCM plant in Norway will then be used to evaluate performance and demonstrate the advantages of the AURORA technology for large-scale industrial projects. The AURORA technology will even be demonstrated at the site of two of the plant owners in AURORA using a mobile unit owned by Aker Carbon Capture.
Finally, without limiting itself to carbon capture, AURORA will carry out studies on using and storing the captured carbon. Overall, the AURORA technology is expected to increase cost-efficiency by 50% and CO2 capture rates from 90 to 98%. Reaching such targets will boost the technology uptake by concerned industries for a global reduction of CO2 emissions into the atmosphere.
The work in the project during the 1st reporting period (months 1-18) was focused on experimental work and modelling for the CESAR1 solvent and experimental work related to degradation and solvent management in order to close important knowledge gaps for the solvent. This work has so far led to improved open access models for the CESAR1 solvent, implementation of improved models in Aspen Plus®, improved software for NMPC including CESAR1 models, and detection of new degradation compounds based on the CESAR1 solvent and development of analytical methods for these compounds.
Furthermore, extensive work has been done to prepare for demonstrations in the three pilots, and prepare for later assessment of capture and full CCUS chain assessment. Though these activities do not, separately, generate exploitable results, the combined development of methodologies for large-scale capture plant assessment and qualification of the CESAR1 solvent, and the methodology for full CCUS chains and cluster development is regarded as exploitable results (see results beyond the state-of the-art). These methodologies are described in two project deliverables open to public.
Furthermore, extensive work has been done to prepare for demonstrations in the three pilots, and prepare for later assessment of capture and full CCUS chain assessment. Though these activities do not, separately, generate exploitable results, the combined development of methodologies for large-scale capture plant assessment and qualification of the CESAR1 solvent, and the methodology for full CCUS chains and cluster development is regarded as exploitable results (see results beyond the state-of the-art). These methodologies are described in two project deliverables open to public.
Most important exploitable results so far are the improvements related to modelling and degradation, which both are important for closing knowledge gaps related to the CESAR1 solvent. This is furthermore important for the qualification of the solvent for commercial application. Also, the developed methodologies will be important for various stakeholders.
Some initial measures have been taken to maximise the impact of these results. In addition to presentations at conferences and workshops, the results open to public are and will be available at the project web-site (https://aurora-heu.eu/(opens in new window)). Furthermore, all results will be presented and discussed with the established Stakeholder Forum, with members representing various sectors of relevant stakeholders.
Some initial measures have been taken to maximise the impact of these results. In addition to presentations at conferences and workshops, the results open to public are and will be available at the project web-site (https://aurora-heu.eu/(opens in new window)). Furthermore, all results will be presented and discussed with the established Stakeholder Forum, with members representing various sectors of relevant stakeholders.