The urgent need to reduce global carbon emissions is driving the development of advanced CO2 capture technologies. However, state-of-the-art packed bed-based processes (e.g., EFG+ or Linde-BASF) and rotating packed beds (CarbonClean) face significant challenges, including their high energy consumption, enormous infrastructure requirements, and operational complexities. This relates primarily to the solvent regeneration step, the Achilles' heel of absorption-based carbon capture technologies.
Building on our patented vortex technology and advanced computational fluid dynamics platform developed under the ERC OPTIMA project, the AVATAR project aims to overcome these challenges by developing and demonstrating a Multi-Stage Vortex Unit (VORTEX-AVI) with integrated resistive heating for electrified solvent regeneration. This innovative design further develops the use of centrifugal forces within a static geometry to intensify processes, eliminating the mechanical rotation issues found in rotating packed beds while enhancing both scalability and operational flexibility.
Preliminary simulations indicate that AVATAR technology can lower energy consumption to 1.7 GJ per ton of CO2, significantly outperforming current standards of 2.5 GJ per ton of CO2. The project will validate these findings through experiments focused on cold flow hydrodynamics, hot and reactive flow testing, and finally, the integration of resistive heating. Expected outcomes include at least a tenfold increase in CO2 release rates per unit volume compared to conventional desorbers, huge reductions in operational and capital costs, and improved feasibility for future high- Technology Readiness Level (TRL) applications. This potential for high-TRL applications is a testament to the transformative nature of the AVATAR technology. The PoC dataset will be instrumental in convincing industrial stakeholders to invest in post-AVATAR scale-up. A roadmap will be developed to guide industrial implementation.