Holcim and Cool Planet Technologies develop carbon capture system in Germany

The objective of the plant operation is to demonstrate performance, economy and operational behaviour on a larger scale. The partners will then aim to establish a framework for implementing the technology in other Holcim cement works in Germany.

Trial operations are scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2022. If successful, the plant is to be expanded in two further phases, planned for 2024 and 2026, so that 170 000 and 1.3 million t of CO₂ can be separated per year. The final expansion stage will be able to absorb 90% of the CO₂ separate emissions from the plant in Höver and generate high-purity CO2 to be supplied in liquid form for sequestration or use.

CPT collaborates with Hereon, a member of the Helmholtz Association, Germany's largest non-university research institution, to commercialise the PolyActive ™ membrane technology after a decade of development. This technology was developed to reduce CO₂ from gas streams and has already been successfully tested in the laboratory and in pilot studies in two coal-fired power plants as part of the METPORE II (grant number 03ET2016) and MemKoR (grant number 03ET7064) projects funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy.

The membrane technology uses a selective material that prevents the passage of CO₂ preferred compared to other gas components. Compared to other CO₂ separation technologies, the system is compact, consumes significantly less energy and does not require any additional chemicals for its operation. The membrane technology can be installed and operated inexpensively.

Furthermore, it is easily scalable and can thus be adapted to a wide range of applications. This technology is very well suited to retrofitting existing systems with it or to provide them directly as an integral part of new systems. Membrane technology can be started up and shut down quickly and is characterised by a high degree of flexibility.

The membrane technology of the Hereon will be the heart of the process in Höver, which will also use tried and tested standard processes from petrochemicals and low-temperature technology. CPT will be the developer, operator and owner in the carbon capture sector, which will work closely with the CO₂ emitting industries in Europe and globally are working together to create affordable, low-cost CO₂ realise separation processes.

Andrew Corner, Managing Director CPT:

“We are delighted to be working with Holcim to help reduce CO₂ emissions. Cement will remain an important building material for centuries, so decarbonising its production is an essential contribution to achieving net zero. CPT is determined to provide cost effective solutions to the industries that are difficult to decarbonise. We believe our technology will reduce the cost of CO₂, will significantly reduce segregation and help establish commercial carbon capture facilities."

Torsten Brinkmann, Head of the Process Engineering Department at the Hereon Institute for Membrane Research:

“Membrane technology is ideally suited to addressing pressing questions resulting from climate change and changes in the industrial raw material base in the coming years. It allows the treatment of gas flows by using a simple and energy-efficient separation technology. The separation of CO₂ from various gas flows has been a research focus at Hereon in recent years. The membrane, membrane module and process technologies developed by an interdisciplinary research team have been successfully tested in the energy-generating industry and are now ready for the next step towards decarbonising the industry, together with Holcim and CPT."

Arne Stecher, Head of Decarbonisation for Holcim Deutschland GmbH: “Carbon capture will be a necessity for cement plants in the near future. Therefore, we are looking for the best carbon capture technology. For us, ‘the best’ means simple, scalable and adaptable to many cement plants with the lowest possible production costs in order to also support subsequent value chains. The membrane-based approach from Cool Planet Technologies is a promising solution, so we and our partners are on the way to significantly improve operational capability."

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/20102021/holcim-and-cool-planet-technologies-develop-carbon-capture-system-in-germany/