Building - HVAC - Integrated CO 2 Capture Technology

Soletair Power’s patented Building-HVAC-Integrated CO2 Capture Technology is different from most carbon removal solutions that need high temperatures or specific geography. The system operates inside a building. CO2 is captured utilising buildings’ existing HVAC system using a sorbent. It requires electricity to function (absorption occurs thanks to change of temperatures) and the outputs are water and CO2. The output of the CO2. can be in liquefied form or gas form, we have explored the liquefied form which is easier to transport and manipulate for further applications.

The unit explored has a capacity of 3m3/s, which equates to the typical ventilation rate for 2000m2 of office floorplate. The unit has a selfcontained fan which overcomes the internal pressure drop of the equipment.

UK/2000 m² office building/ Over 20 years/ Static calculations*

WHERE ARE WE NOW? DEPENDS ON THE GRID

As the technology consumes electricity to capture carbon, results depend on the grid decarbonisation scenario.

If you are pessimistic and think the grid is unlikely to truly decarbonise over the next 20 years, this is what it looks like: the technology is not making net carbon savings.

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY:

• CAPTURE 50 kg CO2 /DAY

• 93% EFFICIENCY – 20 YEARS

• WEIGHTS 11 tonnes

• CAPEX £ 500K

*: no inflation (0.28 £/kWh energy price)

• OPEX £ 623K – 20 YEARS*

• ENERGY USE 5kWH/ kg CO2e CAPTURED

• HEAT PUMP WITH R410A

UK/2000 m² office building/ Over 20 years/ Static calculations*

WHERE ARE WE NOW? DEPENDS ON THE GRID

If you are optimistic: the technology does save net carbon over the next 20 years.

Using BEIS average carbon factor over the next 20 years 0.055 kgCO2e/kWh (Greenbook 2022)

The decarbonisation of the grid makes a huge difference. For this study we are using BEIS values from the Greenbook 2022, using a predicted average over 20 years.

CURRENT TECHNOLOGY:

• CAPTURE 50 kg CO2 /DAY

• 93% EFFICIENCY – 20 YEARS

• WEIGHTS 11 tonnes

• CAPEX £ 500K

*: no inflation (0.28 £/kWh energy price)

• OPEX £ 623K – 20 YEARS*

• ENERGY USE 5kWH/ kg CO2e CAPTURED

• HEAT PUMP WITH R410A

PART 1: INHALE TECHNOLOGY REVIEW

HOW DECARBONISED NEED TO BE THE GRID TO SAVE NET CARBON?

WHERE ARE WE NOW? DEPENDS ON THE GRID

The tipping point is 0.11 kgCO2e/kWh.

ELECTRICITY CARBON FACTOR (KGCO2E/KWH)

If over the next 20 years, the grid carbon factor is on average below, the technology will save net carbon over its life cycle.

EXAMPLE OF COUNTRIES WITH AN ELECTRICITY CARBON FACTOR <0.11kg CO2e/kWh [ source 8 ]

• ICELAND 0.027

• SWEDEN 0.039

• COSTA RICA 0.04

• FINLAND 0.058

• ONTARIO (CANADA) 0.057

• FRANCE 0.064

• YUKON (CANADA) 0.071