CFC for CO2 – An innovative fuel cell technology for post-combustion carbon capture in Rotterdam

Aanleiding

Esso Nederland B.V. is committed to helping transform the current energy systems to reduce CO2 emissions in the short term while also working on advancing decarbonization solutions. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are expected to play a significant role in meeting lower emission targets.

Doelstelling

The main objective of the project is to improve the CFC technology and solve the technical issues that occur in a commercial environment. Obtaining performance and operability data in a commercial environment is essential to solve the issues that will not occur in a laboratory setting.

Hoofdzaken

The main topics that will be addressed during piloting include:

• The operation of the system with live pre-treated flue gas compositions
• Stacking and interconnection of the modules
• Integration into existing industrial processes
• Cost comparison with traditional CCS technologies

Korte omschrijving

Esso is developing an innovative decarbonization solution by using Carbonate Fuel Cells (CFCs) to capture and concentrate CO2 lean streams. In this project, the CFC technology will be piloted at the Esso Netherlands refinery in Rotterdam to further develop the technology.

CFCs can act as a CO2 concentrator and potentially reduce the effective cost of CCS projects, making CCS more accessible for industry. The duration of the DEI+ project is 4 years. The project will start with the detailed development and design of the pilot installation.

After this, construction and start-up of the CFC pilot will begin in March 2024. The project will end with 1.5 years of pilot testing. Different tests on the lifespan, flue gas contamination, stacking, and interconnectivity will be performed during this period.

Resultaat

The main result of the pilot project is to gain essential knowledge of the CFC technology in industrial operating settings for post-combustion CCS and to understand the factors that impact it. Pilot testing is a necessary step for further upscaling of the technology to a demonstration on full scale.

Initial estimates indicate a potential 30% cost reduction versus traditional liquid amine technologies for carbon capture. The CFC pilot plant will result in a net 10 kTa CO2 reduction of scope 1 emissions at the Rotterdam site, and if successful, the technology could then be scaled to many other industrial settings to contribute to a significant reduction of CO2 emissions in the Netherlands.