Decarbonized liMe PrOduction through enhanced JoInt dielectric heaTing and waste carbonaceous material additiOn

Obiettivo

The MOJITO project aims to validate a laboratory scale system for the production of decarbonised lime with reduced energy consumption and carbon emissions in the calcination process, while achieving CO2 removal. The system is based on an electrically powered rotary kiln that transfers heat in the calcining material by microwave and electrical heating.
Due to the capacity of microwaves to penetrate inside the limestone particles, the kiln will use lower temperatures with respect to standard systems. The input material will also be integrated with carbonaceous material for its ability to absorb electromagnetic energy and convert it to heat, thus improving the efficiency of the process. The CO2 produced by the calcination will be collected in an external vessel for further use in Carbon Capture and Storage (and Utilisation). Accurate atomistic computer simulations of the CaCO3 calcination process in realistic conditions through machine learning will be performed using a Tier-0 supercomputer, based on the understanding of the microscopic mechanisms at play. This will allow to study and design new solutions and the specific MOJITO systems. This enables the production of grade lime that satisfies up to 70% of market demand.