Carbon capture technologies are set to play a key role in Denmark’s climate action strategy. However, the high energy consumption of these technologies drives up operational costs, creating a barrier to their adoption. As a result, there is a need for significant efficiency improvements. Among other things, we need a better understanding of the different solvents used to absorb or bind carbon dioxide during the capture process and their behaviour in different environments.

Addressing this challenge, the CORT project identifies the most effective solvents and processes for various carbon capture scenarios.

The project is part of the INNO-CCUS partnership and is led by a collaboration between DTU Chemical Engineering at Technical University of Denmark, FORCE Technology, Pentair Union Engineering, Ørsted, Aalborg Portland and Aalborg University.

CORT uses a carbon capture pilot system that can be reconfigured for different sites and circumstances. During the project, this system was installed at two sites in Denmark to secure diverse testing environments: Aalborg Portland, a major Danish cement manufacturer, and Skærbækværket, a bioenergy power plant.

The project considers factors such as sector coupling, the compatibility of different types of solvents, their mixtures, process optimisation, and temperature variations, recognising that similar mixtures can behave differently in comparable conditions.

The CORT project has managed to reduce energy consumption by almost fifty percent in their pilot tests, which is a critical step toward cutting the cost of chemical capture technologies. Cheaper and more effective carbon capture will pave the way for widespread implementation of carbon capture technologies to the benefit of the climate. Additionally, significant carbon capture advancements have the potential to open up substantial export opportunities for Denmark.