Flexible measurement system for CO2 capture systems – From theory to test

CCUS is the new black in the aviation industry. There are plans to install more carbon capture (CC) systems in Denmark on energy producing plants. However, the way to determine emissions is costly, which is why Olicem and 12plus30 together with FORCE Technology have investigated the possibility of a more flexible measurement system.

CCUS, or Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, is one method of capturing CO2 and storing it and potentially reusing it for other purposes. Common to the CC plants we have in Denmark that are to be installed is that they must document their emissions as specified in their environmental permits. Today, you basically have to measure emissions both before and after your CO2 capture plant, which makes installation more expensive.

Olicem and 12plus30 joined forces with FORCE Technology in a knowledge bridge project to further develop a reporting system based on a more flexible placement of the measurement systems. Testing and measurement took place at Amager Ressourcecenter (ARC), one of the larger waste management companies in Denmark.

Promising results on unknown ground

The project would verify a theoretical calculation method to convert measurements made after a CC plant. The partner group also wanted to test a method to determine the water content in the flue gas after CO2 capture. The results showed a satisfactory comparison between the measured and theoretical concentrations, allowing for more tests that could potentially reduce the cost of installing AMS (Automated Measurement Systems) at plants.

We are super excited about the funds because they can help prove theory in practice, which is essential when moving into uncharted territory like full-scale CO2 capture – Troels Skov Moestrup, CCO, Olicem A/S

The results of the Knowledge Bridge project can make the CCUS adventure easier to enter for plants and thereby minimize CO2 emissions in Denmark. The results will be presented to the Reference Laboratory for Air Emissions and to the Danish Environmental Protection Agency so that they can form the basis for any adjustments to the guidelines for the installation of plants.

Several carbon capture (CC) plants are currently being planned and installed at Danish energy-producing plants. Common to them all are documentation requirements for emissions as specified in the respective environmental permits.