During the first period, the project has focused its efforts on its framework definition and baseline assessment. Main needs and challenges of integrating advanced technologies into traditional industrial frameworks were assessed, including non-technical and market barriers that could impede the deployment of these technologies (investment risks, market acceptance issues, and regulatory hurdles). The three value chains explored by CAPTUS were mapped in detail, considering the flue gas volumes and composition, renewable energy sources available, and CCU routes to be implemented. Furthermore, a framework for assessing the performance of the CAPTUS project has been developed collaboratively by a methodology that gathered several KPIs and selected the most important ones per demo-site, totaling 40 KPIs and 45 supplemental indicators able to describe the performance of each CCU process in technical, environmental, economic and social aspects. These KPIs will serve as base for later validation by LCA, LCC and S-LCA once the CCU technologies are implemented and tested in industrial environments.
Activities related to the modelling and simulation of the processes have started and advanced significantly, with the key technologies per demo identified (PSA, HTL, ERCO2) and the key elements for equipment and processes simulation (e.g. governing equations, process conditions) defined and implemented. The first period of CAPTUS was also dedicated to establishing the C&D plan, communication materials and channels, as well as the first version of the exploitation and IPR management strategies. Transversal documentation fundamental for the adequate project implementation and follow-up (i.e. project and data management plans, project handbook, RRI plan) were delivered timely. Finally, important advances were made in the ongoing technical WPs dedicated to the novel CCU processes, such as: testing and definition of CO2 capture and conditioning technology (D2, D3); site assessment, planning and design of the PBR system for microalgae cultivation (D2); procurement, installation and commissioning of HTL reactor, start of experimental campaign to produce bio-oils from algae (D2), flue gas assessment and analysis per industrial partner (D1, D2, D3), first characterization activities to evaluate physico-chemical properties of HTL oils (D2), optimization of the first gas fermentation stage for converting CO2 into acetic acid (D1), optimization of the electrode fabrication procedure of the lab-scale electrolyser, as well as the design and construction of a new electrolyser with an electrode surface area of 100 cm² (D3), use of synthetic biology tools to engineer the selected yeast in order to improve the acetate uptake and conversion to TAGs (D1). These activities are paving the way for the implementation of the full CCU process in all three demo-sites and to maximize the CO2 conversion efficiency considering the energy requirements as well.
