Capsol Technologies is a Norwegian company focused on developing and licensing patented carbon capture technologies. Their “CapsolEoP” product is applicable in industries with inlet CO2 concentrations between 15% and 20%.
They claim competitive advantage based on the following:
Energy input: CapsolEoP can be run on renewable electricity only
Cost-effectiveness: CapsolEop solution offers a patented heat recuperation to maximize integration with district heating.
Pressurized flue gas: The pressurization of flue gasses before first contact with solvent results in 40-50% less energy consumption than other technologies.
Sustainability: The hot potassium carbonate solvent is safer and less harmful than some other capture solvents.
CapsolEoP fact sheet
CO2 Capture rate
>90%
Capacity
100kt CO2 per year
Delivery time
NA
Footprint
NA
Energy
0.6GJ/tCO2
Capture Technology: Hot Potassium Carbonate
1. Flue Gas compression
Before entering the CapsolEoP, the flue gas is compressed to an elevated pressure (1.), typically around 5-8 bar depending on the CO2 concentration in the flue gas. This pressurization step is essential for efficient CO2 absorption in the HPC solvent.
2. Lean solvent CO2 absorption
The CO2-rich flue gasses are transferred to the Absorber column (2.). There, the lean solvent is introduced whence it binds the CO2 molecules from the flue gasses.
Capsol Technologies:
CO2 reacts with the HPC solution (K2CO3) and water (H2O), forming potassium bicarbonate (2KHCO3) – The reaction releases heat, that is used by Capsol in different stages of the process achieving efficiencies.
3. Rich solvent desorption
The CO2-laden solvent (2KHCO3) travels from the absorber tower (2.) to the desorber unit (3.). There it undergoes heat treatment and releases pure CO2.
CapsolEoP Energy management
Their heat retention follows the following process:
Hot untreated flue gas enters the system and is cooled down – the energy is harvested and used in compression
During compression, the temperature of flue gas rises again and needs to be cooled down before interacting with the solvent
The heat harvested from cooling the pressurized flue gas is used to assist with desorption.
Heat is released during the desorption process as well. This heat can be used to assist the capture process or be integrated with local grids.
Capsol Technologies Partners
As Capsol Technologies operates as a technology licensing company, they have developed an extensive partner network to bring the capture projects to life.
SFW delivers standardized carbon capture plants for Waste-to-Energy and biomass-fuelled facilities.
Siemens Energy is the preferred non-exclusive equipment supplier in the deployment of CapsolEoP.
Petrofac is the preferred engineering services partner to support Capsol in UK and Europe.
Catacarb delivers process design and engineering services for Capsol Technologies in US.
Capsol Technologies Capture Projects
Capsol reports being engaged in nine cement projects with a potential capture capacity of around 10mt CO2/year.
Feasibility studies
Capsol Technologies have shifted their focus on the cement industry and are currently engaged in multiple feasibility studies.
UK short-listed for feasibility study 700ktCO2 (Q4 2023) Cement
Northern EU feasibility study awarded 1,000ktCO2 (July 2023) Cement
Southern Europe feasibility study for two plants awarded 1,500ktCO2 (September 2023) Cement
Tekniska Cerken’s energy-from-waste plant Carbon capture process and design 250kt CO2 per annum
Stockholm Exergi BECCS
The Stockholm Exergi BEECS project, once utilizing Carbon Engineering’s DAC technology, now employs Capsol Technologies’ hot potassium carbonate capture. Operational since May 2023, this landmark bio-energy plant captures 800,000 tonnes of CO2 annually, making it Europe’s first large-scale negative emissions facility, contributing significantly to Stockholm’s ambition of becoming the world’s first climate-positive city.
2008: Stockholm Exergi starts exploring negative emissions technologies.
2011: Stockholm Exergi announces plans for the BEECS project (Bio-Energy with Carbon Capture and Storage).
2013: Stockholm Exergi selects Carbon Engineering’s DAC (Direct Air Capture) technology for the project.
2016: Project faces financial challenges and Carbon Engineering withdraws.
2017: Stockholm Exergi selects Capsol Technologies and their hot potassium carbonate (HPC) capture technology as a replacement.
2018: Construction of the BEECS plant begins.
2021: BEECS pilot plant successfully captures and stores its first CO2.
May 2023: BEECS pilot plant officially inaugurated by the King of Sweden.
Current (February 2024): BEECS plant is fully operational, capturing around 800,000 tonnes of CO2 per year.