A significantly lower industrial CO2 footprint with CCS solutions

Is Carbon Capture and Storage the best way to reduce industrial CO2 emissions in the short term? Escher certainly considers this a realistic solution. “Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) solutions can be seen as a transition within the energy transition. The impact could be enormous, as these solutions focus primarily on the largest CO2 emitters,” says Maarten Brandenburg, Commercial Manager at Escher. “If you want to reduce CO2 emissions drastically and cost-efficiently in the short term, then this is the low-hanging fruit. And it’s because these solutions are so accessible that they are an ideal tool to facilitate the energy transition.”

Electrification unachievable in the short term The desire is to electrify many processes in the future. A transition in which industry will run on sustainable electrical technologies instead of gasfired technologies. Maarten: “This, however, will not be achievable in the short term. Partly because the amount of green energy available both now and in the near future is not nearly enough to meet the industry’s total energy needs. But also, because not all processes can be electrified. Even if processes can be electrified, huge investments are required because entire factories must be overhauled to achieve electrification. CCS solutions are therefore an ideal option for reducing CO2 emissions quickly and cost effectively, and to continue working in parallel on the development of green energy production and sustainable solutions such as electrification.”

The CCS principle in a nutshell The amount of CO2 in the atmosphere has never been as high as it is now. In 2020, with 54.1 Mt of CO2 (eq) emissions, Dutch industry accounted for approximately 32.5% of the total emissions of the Netherlands (166.4 Mt of CO2 (eq)), making it the largest polluter. This data is according to an initial estimate by Statistics Netherlands (CBS) and the RIVM/Emission Register for greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 and is in accordance with the IPCC guidelines. This data is published annually on the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register website. In particular, the steel, cement, waste processing, refining and petrochemicals industries and gas-fired power plants produce large quantities of CO2.

As part of the European Green Deal, the European Commission proposed in September 2020 to increase the target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, including emissions and removals, to at least 55% compared to 1990 (220.5 Mt of CO2).

The European Commission has proposed this target in the 2030 Climate Target Plan. If we want to achieve this ambitious goal, we must implement measures in the short term capable of delivering a significant reduction in CO2. But what exactly are CCS solutions? And what makes them so accessible for industry?

CCS solutions can be realised from design to completion in approximately two years.

Shortly summarised, CCS solutions entail capturing flue gases released during industrial processes in a capture system, whereby the CO2 is separated from other gases. The captured CO2 is dried in a subsequent process to prepare the remaining clean and dry CO2 for underground storage in either depleted oil and gas fields or old salt caverns. This technology significantly reduces a factory’s CO2 emissions while the necessary adjustments to the site, downtime of systems, and costs remain manageable. Carbon Capture and Storage is a temporary but easily accessible solution for at least the next 50 to 60 years and can be realised from design to completion in approximately two years, without large-scale factory modifications. CSS is therefore much cheaper than other options to reduce industrial CO2 emissions by double digits.

The CO2 drying process Drying CO2 is necessary to prevent the release of acids which causes corrosion in the pipes. The CO2 drying process is almost identical to that of natural gas drying. The design, manufacturing and delivery of such installations is something that Escher, as a supplier of process solutions, has been providing since 1925. The basic principle of the CO2 drying process is the supply of CO2 from the capture system to the drying system under a certain pressure. At this stage of the process, the CO2 is still saturated with water and sometimes contains other elements. Before the CO2 can be injected into a depleted oil and gas field or old salt cavern, the water and other pollutants must first be removed. Removal of these elements can be performed via several methods. The most suitable technique is dependent on the application and the wishes and requirements of the client. For example, the CO2 can be treated using glycol or molecular sieves. When the treated CO2 is clean, it can be compressed for transport or underground storage. Once the CO2 is safely and hermetically sealed underground, the CO2 can be stored there for eternity.

Our CCS solution is fit for purpose and can be customised if desired.

Maarten: “The CO2 drying process can be standardised. Since CO2 is not an explosive gas, there are a lot less stringent requirements for the drying process. At Escher, we have developed a standard solution, which is fit for purpose and based on proven technologies.

We critically studied the process and the set requirements during development and did not introduce unnecessary redundancy in our standard, enabling us to realise a well-functioning costefficient system. Of course, we can customise the CCS solution if desired. Our goal is to work seamlessly with our clients to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in the short term, with accessible, effective and affordable applications.”•

“AN EASILY ACCESSIBLE SOLUTION FOR THE NEXT 50 TO 60 YEARS”

CO2X

CO2 transport

CO2 storage

Salt Caverns (Domal and Bedded) Aquifers and Depleted Fields