Project description
Innovative Vortex technology for solvent regeneration
The push to reduce carbon emissions is advancing CO2 capture technologies. However, existing methods face challenges such as high energy consumption and complex operations, especially during solvent regeneration. The ERC-funded AVATAR project aims to develop the Multi-Stage Vortex Unit (VORTEX-AVI) with integrated resistive heating for solvent regeneration. This design will use centrifugal forces within a static structure to avoid the mechanical issues associated with rotating packed beds, thereby enhancing scalability and operational flexibility. Preliminary simulations indicate that AVATAR technology can cut energy consumption to 1.7 GJ per tonne of CO2, outperforming the current standard of 2.5 GJ per tonne. The project will validate these results through experiments on hydrodynamics, hot and reactive flow testing, and resistive heating integration.
Objective
The urgent need to reduce global carbon emissions is driving the development of advanced CO2 capture technologies. However, state-of-the-art packed bed-based processes (e.g. EFG+ or Linde-BASF) and rotating packed beds (CarbonClean) face significant challenges, including their high energy consumption, enormous infrastructure requirements, and operational complexities. This relates primarily to the solvent regeneration step, the Achilles' heel of absorption-based carbon capture technologies.
Building on our patented vortex technology and advanced computational fluid dynamics platform developed under the ERC OPTIMA project, the AVATAR project aims to overcome these challenges by developing and demonstrating a Multi-Stage Vortex Unit (VORTEX-AVI) with integrated resistive heating for electrified solvent regeneration. This innovative design further develops the use of centrifugal forces within a static geometry to intensify processes, eliminating the mechanical rotation issues found in rotating packed beds while enhancing both scalability and operational flexibility.
Preliminary simulations indicate that AVATAR technology can lower energy consumption to 1.7 GJ per ton of CO2, significantly outperforming current standards of 2.5 GJ per ton of CO2. The project will validate these findings through experiments focused on cold flow hydrodynamics, hot and reactive flow testing, and finally, the integration of resistive heating. Expected outcomes include at least a tenfold increase in CO2 release rates per unit volume compared to conventional desorbers, huge reductions in operational and capital costs, and improved feasibility for future high- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) applications. This potential for high-TRL applications is a testament to the transformative nature of the AVATAR technology. The PoC dataset will be instrumental in convincing industrial stakeholders to invest in post-AVATAR scale-up. A roadmap will be developed to guide industrial implementation.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2024-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9000 Gent
Belgium
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.