Efficient capture / purification / utilisation of CO2 for the production of competitive products (RIA) (Processes4Planet partnership)

Expected Outcome

Projects are expected to contribute to the following outcomes:

• Achieve a significant reduction in the production costs of CO2-based products, making them competitive with conventionally produced alternatives. This involves optimising the integration of CO2 capture, purification, and conversion processes.
• Demonstrate processes that minimize energy consumption during the entire conversion process, leveraging advances in process integration that can shift equilibria and the use of renewable electricity and available heat sources.
• Contribute to the reduction of carbon emissions by enabling the sustainable use of CO2, supporting circular economy principles through the valorisation of CO2, possibly aligned with CCS.

Scope

There are only a few products that can be competitively produced from CO2. Increased opportunities for CCU from process industry emissions require the development of a larger portfolio of potential CO2-derived products. The higher cost of CO2-based products compared to conventional production routes is mostly driven by the high energy demand arising from the thermodynamic constraints of CO2. The smart integration of CO2 capture, purification and conversion can enable process optimisation with reduced energy consumption as well as reduced capital expenditure. Additionally, innovative processes can overcome the inherent equilibrium limitations of CCU production. The development of new integrated processes can be an opportunity to optimise the use of electricity, make use of available heat sources and relevant infrastructures and thus accelerate the development of CO2 valorisation.

Proposals under this topic are expected to address several of the following points:

• Develop new methodologies, processes and technologies for the smart integration of CO2 capture, purification, and conversion, focusing on reducing energy demand, capital expenditure and possible integration with CCS infrastructure requirements.
• Incorporate renewable energy sources (including the fluctuation of energy availability) and innovative energy management strategies to enhance the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the CO2 valorisation processes.
• Identify and integrate available heat sources and existing infrastructures to enhance process efficiency and reduce operational costs.
• Address the constraints related to CO2 conversion processes, employing innovative approaches to maximize yield and process efficiency, for example by overcoming low equilibrium yields.
• Conduct comprehensive lifecycle and economic assessments to ensure that the proposed solutions are viable, sustainable, and economically attractive.

Conversion of CO2 to methanol and fuels is considered outside the scope of this topic.

Showcase improved performance, scalability and cost efficiency of the proposed solution through at least one case at laboratory level pilot scale.

The inclusion of a GHG avoidance methodology[1] is recommended and should provide detailed descriptions of baselines and projected emissions reduction.

Proposals should include a business case and exploitation strategy, as outlined in the introduction to this Destination, underlining how the proposal will serve the purpose to boost industrial decarbonisation technologies supply chain in Europe. Proposals should consider representative real industrial sites demonstrating the solutions at least in open-loop computations. This should be done in parallel to the actual operation of the plants with validation of the benefits by simulations with accurate models. Experiments involving real industrial sites are encouraged. Societal- and environmental impact as well as implications for the workplace (including skills and organisational change) should be outlined.

This topic implements the co-programmed European partnership Processes4Planet.

Activities are expected to start at TRL 4-5 and achieve TRL 6 by the end of the project - see General Annex B.

[1] That could follow Innovation Fund methodology: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/innovfund/wp-call/2021/call-annex_c_innovfund-lsc-2021_en.pdf