CO2 capture
3D printed ceramics to increase CO2 capture
The energy-intensive sector is responsible for 30% of the total CO2 emissions in The Netherlands as we are dependent on fossil fuels and raw materials. We will continue to produce large amounts of CO2 after 2050, but the aim is to reduce these emissions to zero by then. In order to achieve a sustainable, climate-neutral energy management system, capture, use and storage of CO2 are therefore essential. However, reducing the carbon footprint is challenging due to the size of the equipment associated with high capital investments and the energy that is required for this equipment.
3D CAPS project
The 3D CAPS project researches and develop tangible solutions for CCUS. The aim of this project is a 10-fold productivity increase leading to a substantial decrease in overall equipment size and costs for removal and recovery of CO2 from industrial gases. The project is dedicated to developing two new adsorption-based technologies with an inherent small energy footprint.
These adsorbents are prepared using innovative 3D printing as it allows using tailored material with much improved characteristics that are not possible with current production technologies. Initially, the 3D CAPS project measured successful material performance of both 3D printed porous sorbent materials, silica and potassium promoted hydrotalcite, under relevant conditions and assessed performance with techno-economics. The ability to apply 3D printing is already a huge development in improving the performance of CCUS. This key milestone has led to the production of a blueprint of the technology for further implementation in pilot-scale facilities.
The development of this new technique enabled by 3D printing will realize high energy efficiency, meaning significant cost-saving and substantially lower CO2 emissions with effective and affordable technologies. These advances in cost reductions are specifically interesting for the oil and gas industry, power plants, steel plants, and the chemical industry.
©3D CAPS
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