State-of-the-art carbon capture uses amines or organic solvents for scrubbing and rely on thermal cycles (100-125 °C) for solvent regeneration. This method suffers from large energy demands of about 100-200 kJ/mol CO2, which is about an order of magnitude higher than the minimum thermodynamic work. In recent years electrochemical methods have gained increasing attention, because they have distinct advantages over thermal operations.
As a few examples, the electrochemical cells 1) require no external heat sources, 2) have lower energy consumption (approx. 30 kJ/mol CO2), 3) can be readily integrated in production processes without the need for retrofitting, 4) can rely entirely on renewable energy sources, and 5) can be easily regulated as they are not beset by long thermal response times. Although electrochemical cells present multiple benefits in carbon capture, further research is essential to enable their use in industrial applications. The current design of the cells presents challenges in achieving a commercially pure CO2 output, and capture efficiencies are often limited. Producing high-purity product streams is essential for repurposing CO2, such as in e-fuel applications.
In the ASGREEN project the focus is to improve cell efficiency by optimizing cell configurations, materials (including electrodes and membranes), and operating parameters. The aim is to advance the ASGREEN technology to a technology readiness level (TRL) of 5. As part of this effort, an electrochemical pilot facility will be constructed. It will be designed to treat 5 kg CO2/h. Furthermore, the influence of gas stream impurities on process performance will be assessed.
From a broader societal perspective, the ASGREEN project aims to pave the way for cost-effective and scalable emission mitigation solutions. The ASGREEN technology will closely link carbon capture to alternative energy sources and Power-to-X applications including hydrogen production.
The ASGREEN technology is being developed to reduce CAPEX and OPEX compared to traditional capture methods. This will make CO2 capture more accessible and financially viable for small- to medium-sized enterprises.
Main supervisor:
Philip Loldrup Fosbøl