CATALPA Project

The aim of this project is to investigate new ways of reducing the energy and carbon footprint of CO₂ capture processes. The main energy penalty of CO₂ capture is the regeneration of the CO₂ separation media, whether solid or liquid. This penalty often takes the form of thermal energy, which often involves an increase in CO₂ production. Even if this CO₂ is captured, this increases the amount of CO₂ transported and stored, which also increases the cost of CO₂ avoidance.

Two different methods will be explored in this project to reduce the energy penalty:

• Reduction of specific energy regeneration based on an innovative separation medium.
• The integration of decarbonised energy to accompany the dedicated use of thermal energy and reduce it.

The first method involves finding the right balance between capacity, selectivity and specific energy regeneration, while ensuring that the proposed solution meets environmental criteria relating to product volatility, toxicity and degradability.

The second method involves delivering decarbonised energy to the separation medium in an efficient way to replace or reduce the use of high-temperature thermal energy. The aim is to use less thermal energy or to reduce its temperature to a level that makes it possible to use low temperatures, i.e. less than 100 degrees, to reduce the cost of energy and make it possible to use energy from waste.

Four-year duration – Budget of €2.65M

The aim of this project is to propose innovative separation media and processes, involving gas hydrates, organometallic framework materials, adjusted, modified or activated solvents and carbons, as well as deep eutectic solvents and precipitation solvents. Some of these processes, such as sorbent regeneration or electrodialysis, allow the use of decarbonised electricity, thereby reducing the carbon footprint.

Innovative separation media for low carbon footprint CO₂ capture processes, management of alternative energy activation for regeneration of CO₂ capture processes, techno-economic evaluation of innovative solutions in comparison with reference CO₂ capture processes and expected gains.

Expected results: a proof of concept of innovative solutions, leading from a TRL 1-2 to a TRL 3-4. The most promising solutions will be proposed for pilot testing (TRL 5-6). Contacts with potential end-users will be made in the final year of the project.

15 publications in international journals are expected, 4 to 6 patents covering solid and solvent separations as well as synergies and energy management systems and associated process schemes, 5 PhD students, 54 post-doctoral months. Direct synergies with IMOSYCCA.

The consortium

IFPEN, Laboratoire des Fluides Complexes et leurs Réservoirs LFCR (CNRS – Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour/Total Energies), Institut des Matériaux Poreux de Paris IMAP (CNRS, ENS, SPCI), Laboratoire Environnement Dynamique Territoires Montagnes EDYTEM (CNRS, Université Savoie Mont Blanc), Institut de Chimie de Clermont Ferrand ICCF (CNRS, Université Clermont Auvergne)

Coordination