Holcim, thyssenkrupp and Berlin University participate in amine scrubbing project

thyssenkrupp Uhde, Holcim and the Technische Universität Berlin have partnered up in a joint project to investigate the use of a novel amine scrubbing technology for carbon capture.

The goal is to significantly reduce CO₂ emissions from existing cement plants and at the same time utilise the captured CO₂ for other applications. In concrete terms, this includes the development of new mass transfer process equipment that is more efficient and resilient to contaminations. The project is being funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action under the funding number 03EE5103A. 

The performance and efficiency of this equipment is being tested using real exhaust gas at the cement plant located in Beckum, Germany. This is paving the way for commercial use. Various possibilities for using the captured CO₂ are also being examined, for example methanol or sustainable fuels. With this process, the partners are seeking to make a contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gases, especially in existing cement production plants. These can then be retrofitted with equipment for capturing CO₂ from the process gas without further adapting the production process.

Dr Ralph Kleinschmidt, head of Technology, Innovation and Sustainability at thyssenkrupp Uhde: "Amine scrubbing is already commonly used to recover CO₂ from process gases or exhaust gases. Now, we are developing the technology further and optimising it for the cement industry. Additional applications for capturing CO₂ direct at source, such as in waste incineration plants, are also possible."

Arne Stecher, head of Decarbonisation at Holcim Germany, said: "Carbon capture will be a must for cement plants in the near future. That is why we are testing different processes to find the best carbon capture technology. Carbon capture by means of amine scrubbing is a promising solution. I am pleased that, together with our partners, we can test the use of this innovative process in the cement industry."

Prof Dr Ing Jens-Uwe Repke, Chair of Process Dynamics and Operations Group at TU Berlin, said: "Developing innovative carbon capture technology for gas treating and improving the efficiency, environmental compatibility, and sustainability of existing carbon capture processes, as well as putting them into practice, is an urgent and crucial task that makes a direct contribution to climate protection. These goals can only be achieved if industry cooperates closely with research facilities like universities."