The goal of avoiding commitment to a specific technology or supplier for capturing and storing CO₂, is to reduce commercial risk by allowing multiple suppliers to compete, as the project approaches the investment decision stage. This strategy keeps the options open for the best available solution when the time comes for implementation. It also grants the organization control over the concept’s development and contributes to internal capacity building, which is crucial both during project maturation, and when the plant is handed over to operations personnel.

The Tromsø project is supported by CLIMIT with a grant of NOK 3.5 million. Charlotte Tiller is project manager.

Why Carbon Capture?

Carbon capture technology is particularly important for facilities that incinerate waste, where large amounts of CO₂ would otherwise be released into the atmosphere. Kvitebjørn Varme burns 60,000 tonnes of residual waste annually, a figure that will soon increase to 110,000 tonnes when a new incineration line is completed in 2025.

Since 2022, Kvitebjørn Varme has been working on a plan to capture CO₂ from flue gases generated during waste incineration. Project Ashlad aims to have a fully operational carbon capture facility by 2030.

How Did It All Begin?

– The project had already completed an idea study when I took over as project manager in 2023, says Charlotte. – I started by building an understanding of how carbon capture works and read a report from TCM, about various chemicals commonly found in flue gases that can damage the carbon capture process. I recognized many of these substances from my time working with emissions monitoring at Kvitebjørn Varme. We know that the presence of most substances which could harm carbon capture is generally low, but during operational disturbances or faults in the cleaning system, their levels can occasionally exceed what a carbon capture plant can tolerate, she continues.

Unlike most industries implementing carbon capture, flue gas from waste incineration is inherently more heterogeneous due to the varied nature of the fuel. Operational experience with carbon capture in the waste incineration sector is still limited. – There is only one waste incineration plant that has operated a carbon capture facility for several years. The heterogeneity also applies to CO₂ concentration, temperature, and flue gas volume, which are critical for design. I became curious about how to design a carbon capture facility considering these variations, but found little knowledge on this in literature searches, says the project manager.

A good environmental initiative locally

– It is important for us that Ashlad not only becomes a positive climate measure globally, but also a good environmental initiative locally. I read up early on how carbon capture can affect the local environment and became aware that factors like solar radiation, local hydrology, and bioactivity can influence the surroundings’ response. Since the Arctic is typically characterized by significant seasonal variation in these factors, we decided to conduct an assessment earlier than usual in such project processes. This gives us ample time to implement the right measures for our surroundings. The facility will be designed with the environment as a guiding principle from the outset.

In Tromsø, no steam is produced from the plant, complicating energy integration at KVAS compared to the norm. However, there is year-round access to cold seawater, allowing for a more efficient cooling solution for the CO₂ capture facility. Access to the sea also enables the establishment of a dedicated quay for CO₂ export, which could be a significant advantage for the efficient transport of CO₂ to permanent storage locations.

Internal Support

To tackle the challenges, Kvitebjørn Varme has also collaborated with other incineration plants in Norway, and engaged in dialogue with similar facilities abroad. – We are in discussions with technology suppliers to understand how they approach the issues in the project. Many assume standard methods will work, but we want to delve deeper to ensure we have all the necessary information before making significant investments, says Charlotte.

Unknown Variables

Charlotte highlights many aspects of carbon capture at waste incineration facilities that lack clear guidelines, especially regarding emissions regulations and flue gas quality over time.
– We have had to investigate whether it is sufficient to rely on average values over time, or if we need more detailed measurements to ensure that the capture process operates optimally. This has proven challenging, as it is difficult to find satisfactory answers both nationally and internationally, and it will likely be somewhat plant specific. To address the uncertainty, we must remain mindful of this as we further develop the project. This will be a central part of the strategy going forward.

International Collaboration

To tackle the challenges, Kvitebjørn Varme has also collaborated with other incineration plants in Norway, and engaged in dialogue with similar facilities abroad. – We are in discussions with technology suppliers to understand how they approach the issues in the project. Many assume standard methods will work, but we want to delve deeper to ensure we have all the necessary information before making significant investments, says Charlotte.

The Road Ahead

The project is currently in the pre-feasibility phase, which began in February this year with the allocation of CLIMIT support. In Q1 2025, the project will transition to the feasibility phase, where the goal is to select a technology. This will be followed by the planning phase, which aims to establish a comprehensive basis for an investment decision in 2027. – Our goal is to have carbon capture in operation by 2030. It is an ambitious timeline, but we are working diligently, says Charlotte.

Kvitebjørn Varme is considering collaboration with other projects, and is exploring transport solutions for delivering CO₂ to various storage locations, both individual and collective.
– Locally, we aim to reduce emissions and establish a more sustainable energy solution for Tromsø, while creating new jobs in the process. So far, we have benefited greatly from sparring with others in the industry, and hope that our openness about our experiences from the feasibility study can contribute back, allowing us to continue to mature together. The project is considering the possibility of applying for additional funding to continue knowledge development, says project manager Charlotte Tiller.

Senior Advisor Ernst Petter Axelsen at Gassnova is CLIMIT’s responsible for the Kvitebjørn Varme project, and also serves as their advisor. – Establishing a carbon capture facility of this scale, with a new and exciting technological angle, is a significant investment for the company. Many factors come into play when assessing costs. Therefore, having sufficient resources and the right expertise to manage all aspects of development is crucial. Moreover, knowledge exchange with the industry is vital, and something Kvitebjørn Varme emphasizes. As a regulatory actor, this is something we particularly note, says Axelsen at Gassnova.

Conducted by SINTEF from 2020-2024, the project received 14.7 million NOK in funding from the Research Council of Norway.

CleanExport. Illustration: SINTEF

Background

was developed in the wake of the Paris Agreement and the increasing need for decarbonization of the European energy system. The project examined how Norwegian clean energy exports would evolve in response to reduced demand for fossil fuels in Europe. The main goal was to provide strategic guidance and investment support to strengthen Norway’s position as a future supplier in this area.

During the course of the project, two unforeseen events occurred: the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Both significantly altered the European energy system, leading to large fluctuations in energy demand, supply, and prices. Additionally, new legislation was introduced in the EU through revisions of the Renewable Energy Directive, the European Green Deal, and REPowerEU.

Significant Impact

The project’s focus on optimization models for energy systems provides both industry and research partners with an overview of existing models and their benefits, a new version of a sector-coupled European electricity model (EMPIRE), and a new flexible energy system modelling framework (EMX). This framework can be adapted to specific needs in individual analyses and is openly available on GitHub.

Advantage of EMX lies in giving users a high degree of flexibility in designing a specific model instance. Examples include which cost descriptions are used for a technology in each region, how efficiency is modelled, or which technologies are available in the individual regions.

– Studies in the project provided both industry partners and policymakers with knowledge on how Norway can remain an energy export nation in the future. It is crucial to understand how Norwegian energy export infrastructure is affected by external circumstances. This provides new insights into the various energy export options, says Aage Stangeland from CLIMIT R&D/the Research Council of Norway.

New Insights

A key focus of the project was developing an optimization framework for energy system models. Future energy system scenarios were simulated, providing the following insights:

• Norway can maintain and further develop its role as an energy export nation in a decarbonized European energy system.

• Investments in renewable power production are crucial for the future export of clean energy, regardless of whether the energy is exported as hydrogen, ammonia, or electricity.

• Prospects for future Norwegian hydrogen exports indicate hydrogen production from natural gas reforming with CCS in the initial phase. With the potential for hydrogen from electrolysis later. The initial dominance of natural gas is due to the lack of available power in the coming years.

• Development of EnergyModelsX (EMX) – a modular, multi-energy modelling framework. Significant improvements to the existing power system model EMPIRE.

The CleanExport project also had secondary goals:

• Integration and harmonization of tools for energy system expansion planning to enable technical-economic quantitative analysis.

• Study of complementarity and synergies between renewable sources, natural gas, hydrogen, ammonia, and CCS within an energy system context.

• Establishment of high-quality data and defining the most relevant case studies.

• Study of how large-scale Norwegian hydrogen production for energy export can trigger a domestic hydrogen market.

• Education of a PhD student and a postdoctoral fellow on topics related to mathematical optimization models for integrated natural gas and power markets, and operational flexibility for low-carbon energy systems.

Dissemination

The CleanExport project has resulted in several published articles and drafts for new ones. During the project period, results were presented to industry partners at semi-annual seminars. Additionally, CleanExport results were presented at several conferences and used as a basis for op-eds.

– An important legacy of the CleanExport project is related to the EMX modelling framework and modifications to the EMPIRE model. EMX was presented through JuliaCon 2023 and two open webinars. This is applied in several subsequent EU projects, NFR projects, and FME InterPlay. Furthermore, SINTEF is in contact with several industry partners to facilitate the integration of EMX in their organizations, says project leader Julian Straus at SINTEF.

CleanExport organized a seminar titled “Clean Energy Export from Norway” in Oslo, attended by 35 participants from research, industry, and NGOs. The seminar conveyed knowledge from the project far beyond the project group and participating partners. Results from the CleanExport project are also combined with results from several other FME projects, all led by SINTEF.

CO₂LOS IV is a collaboration between the main partners Brevik Engineering AS and SINTEF AS, with a budget of 10.5 million NOK. CLIMIT contributes 37 percent of the funding. Brevik Engineering serves as the project owner and manager, working closely with SINTEF and other partners to execute the project.

Copyright: Brevik Engineering

Building on Previous Phases

The project builds on experiences and results from previous phases, CO₂LOS II and III. These phases focused on developing various tools to reduce CO₂ transport costs and exploring aspects such as liquefaction, interim storage, and terminals. CO₂LOS IV utilizes this knowledge to test realistic scenarios in both Europe and Asia. The project examines CO₂ transport between ports, and from inland areas to ports and then to storage sites.

– The CO₂LOS projects began in 2018 as a collaboration between Brevik Engineering and SINTEF, with funding from CLIMIT. We enlisted major partners such as Equinor, TotalEnergies and Gassco. As the project progressed, interest grew, and significant players like Mitsubishi Heavy Industry, Mitsubishi Cooperation, BP, Mitsui OSK, IMODCO/ SBM and Exxon Mobil joined, says Ragnhild Skagestad of SINTEF AS, project manager for the CO₂LOS projects.

CO₂LOS Cost Tool

The “CO₂LOSs Cost Tool” was developed to estimate costs across the entire logistics chain. Different scenarios can be run to see how changes in volume, pressure, or transport methods affect costs for each segment, whether by pipeline or ship. The tool was developed in collaboration with project partners and is owned by Brevik Engineering and SINTEF AS.

Environmental Impact and Public Acceptance

– We analyse emissions in each part of the transport chain and estimate the impact of our changes, such as on the ship’s propulsion system. We prioritize environmentally friendly solutions. Additionally, public acceptance is a challenge. Good communication and understanding from authorities and local communities are crucial, especially in projects involving transport through sensitive areas. Being open and transparent about plans and results is part of the solution, adds Ragnhild in SINTEF.

Technical Challenges

The core challenges of CO₂LOS IV include optimizing the entire logistics chain for CO₂ transport. This encompasses everything from liquefaction and compression to interim storage and terminals. The project has explored the possibility of directly injecting CO₂ into offshore reservoirs, which, although challenging, could significantly reduce costs.

– Ship transport of CO₂ is a very flexible solution, particularly considering advances in autonomy and low-emission ships. We believe this will be a vital part of future CO₂ management solutions. Ship transport can be cost-effective and adaptable to various geographic and logistical needs, making this solution highly attractive, concludes Ragnhild Skagestad of SINTEF AS.

Key to Success

Ernst Petter Axelsen from Gassnova is CLIMIT’s representative in CO₂LOS IV. He believes the strong collaboration between the different partners is the foundation for the project’s dynamic success. – This has enabled the project to share knowledge and experiences efficiently. It has also been crucial to balance research and practical engineering work, facilitating realistic and applicable solutions. This aligns with CLIMIT’s objectives and is a key criterion for our funding decisions, says Ernst Petter from Gassnova.

CO₂LOS IV is scheduled for completion in mid-2025.

The KDC-IV project continues previous initiatives aiming to create experimental data, knowledge, and tools to establish impurity limits in CO₂ transport systems. Led by the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) in Kjeller, the project seeks to enhance safety and reduce costs in CO₂ transport. It is supported by CLIMIT with approximately NOK 5.6 million. Industrial partners include Shell, TotalEnergies, Equinor, Gassco, Vallourec, BP, Chevron, ExxonMobil, ArcelorMittal, Air Products, ENI, Saudi Aramco, Wintershall Dea, EBN, Fluxys and Gasunie.

Water Induces Corrosion

Material selection is crucial in the overall cost of CO₂ transport systems for carbon capture and storage. Cost considerations make carbon steel the preferred material for long pipelines and ship transport. However, carbon steel corrodes in the presence of water or water-bearing phases, which can form due to impurity reactions. Therefore, controlling CO₂ composition and system operation is essential to prevent the formation of water-bearing phases.

Currently, various specifications and recommendations exist for the types and concentrations of impurities allowed in the CO₂ stream. Traditionally, these limits have been set from health, environmental, and safety perspectives, rather than based on material integrity, due to a lack of knowledge. This knowledge gap has made it challenging to define specifications that ensure safe operation and long-term material integrity.

Expertise at Kjeller

The IFE at Kjeller, near Oslo, leads this CLIMIT-funded project. – Initially focused on nuclear power research, IFE expanded its activities in the early 1980s to include other fields due to the limited role of nuclear power in Norway. Early research emphasized oil and gas, later extending to wind, solar, hydrogen, battery technology – and CO₂ capture and storage, says Gaute Svenningsen – project manager at IFE.

Activities in KDC-IV

The project involves extensive experiments with CO₂ impurities, both with and without corrosion testing. Many experiments cover conditions and impurities not previously tested, including those for ship transport (low temperature and moderate pressure) and pipeline transport of liquid CO₂ (ambient temperature and high pressure). Under these conditions, CO₂ will be either liquid or supercritical.

Previous KDC project results have been used to enhance OLI Systems’ thermodynamic model, enabling it to simulate reactions in liquid and supercritical CO₂. KDC-IV results will be compared with OLI calculations to assess the model’s accuracy. This knowledge is invaluable for operators using these tools in real projects, whether in design basis development or full-scale project operation.

– We must constantly find new methods to manage impurities. Capturing CO₂ from different sources introduces various components that must be considered. Balancing the extent of purification against permissible impurity levels is crucial. Unfavourable combinations of impurities may create undesirable reaction products in the facility, such as acid precipitates, particles, or elemental sulphur, which can be corrosive and cause significant damage, Gaute explains.

Research Findings

At IFE, four researchers focus on KDC-IV, while two others work on well and reservoir-related CO₂ injection issues. IFE manages numerous simultaneous projects and receives substantial external interest in its CO₂ transport data.

KDC-IV’s work has shown that many impurity combinations are mostly inert, while others lead to chemical reactions. Some combinations result in a separate water phase with high concentrations of sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and elemental sulphur, which is corrosive to carbon steel.

– We have excellent technicians and engineers at IFE, and a very competent workshop. We order most research equipment as components and assemble them ourselves. This approach is more efficient than ordering everything pre-assembled, Gaute adds.

Competent Environment

Ernst Petter Axelsen of Gassnova, CLIMIT’s representative for KDC-IV, notes that IFE is a world leader in this field, possibly the only entity capable of conducting such high-level experiments. The work is labour-intensive and requires expensive equipment and extensive laboratory experience. Therefore, expectations are high for IFE’s achievements leading up to the project’s conclusion in 2027, Ernst Petter says.

Future Work in KDC-IV

The KDC-IV project will study precipitation of separate acid phases in liquid CO₂ with various impurity combinations. It will investigate the composition of acid phases and examine the behaviour of such droplets in CO₂ pipelines, using a high-pressure flow loop. Experiments will also explore effects of different impurities in CO₂ transported in the gas phase (low pressure).

The KDC-IV project aims to provide comprehensive knowledge on corrosion and chemical reactions in CO₂, which is essential for setting specifications for the safe transport of CO₂ in pipelines and on ships.

A low-pressure transport system is an alternative to medium pressure and is the preferred solution for most of the projects accommodating cargo volumes larger than 20 000 m³. 

Transport Conditions 

At low-pressure conditions, the liquid CO₂ is transported at pressure and temperature closer to the triple point compared to today’s industry practice. The reduced pressure and temperature allow for larger cargo tank diameter, and also benefits from increased liquid product mass density – leading to larger cargo capacity per ship, while reducing the overall shipping cost. 

CETO Project Development 

The project “CO₂ Efficient Transport via Ocean” (CETO) managed by DNV is a partnership between Equinor Energy AS, Gassco, TotalEnergies, EP Norge AS, and Shell Global Solutions International B.V. CLIMIT supported the CETO project with over 8.2 million NOK, which is 32% of their total budget. 

Transport; Project Purpose 

– CO₂ transport by ship has been performed for several decades – but on a limited scale for businesses in the food, cleaning, and chemical industries. Currently, there is no operational experience with low-pressure ship transport of CO₂, which is therefore associated with a higher risk compared to the medium-pressure alternative. Such risks are minimized with proper design of the processes in the transport chain – says Ernst Petter Axelsen at Gassnova. 

CETO investigates the fundamental aspects of a low-pressure value chain – and aims at reducing the uncertainties related to design, construction, and operation as well as enhancing solutions for ship transport of CO₂. 

Project Phases 

The project was divided into a Planning Phase and an Execution Phase.  

The goal of the Planning Phase (Q2 to Q4 2020) was to identify novel elements, associated technical uncertainties and to establish relevant qualification activities, necessary to address these risks and the uncertainties. 

The qualification activities were carried out in the Execution Phase (Q3 2021 to Q1 2024) and encompassed: 

• Conceptual design of an onshore conditioning and liquefaction plant, and experimental demonstration of liquefaction at low pressure (in synergy with SINTEF industry) 
• Development of a suitable conceptual ship design and cargo handling system for transporting 30,000 m³ CO₂ 
• Design of the cargo containment system and qualification of a selected material to accommodate the large cargo weight, ensure constructability and operation at design temperature 
• Design, construction and commissioning of a test rig resembling a ship-to-terminal cargo handling system – to investigate, via experimental activities, the operability of a low-pressure system, and determine a safe envelope for the operations
• Benchmarking and validation of simulation tools for assessing cargo handling operations in the low-pressure domain. 
• Experimental and modelling activities within CO₂ thermodynamics to reduce uncertainty in digital design tools. 

Project Results So Far 

– The results of the Qualification Activities indicate no technical obstacles to the deployment of low-pressure CO₂ ship transport value chain. Though there are technical elements that require further attention during project specific development. More specifically, CETO has demonstrated the feasibility of a low-pressure liquefaction plant by developing a conceptual design that meets the design specifications. The conceptual design of the ship, cargo tank, and cargo handling system shows that a dedicated 30K low-pressure LCO₂ carrier can be developed, in compliance with the current rules and regulations – says Gabriele Notaro, project manager at DNV.  

The testing campaign on the medium-scale pilot rig demonstrated that the cargo handling operations could be carried out without dry ice formation, at vapor pressure in the range of 6 to 9 barg. Lastly, the accuracy and suitability of design process simulation tools were benchmarked with good agreement against experimental tests. These activities provided valuable experience and understanding of the fundamentals of a low-pressure value chain,
and the results indicate that low-pressure is technically feasible. 

CLIMIT’s Contribution 

– CLIMIT has been an essential facilitator, providing valuable guidance on handling the project through different phases. Despite technical challenges and elements requiring continuous industry focus, the project partners will use the results and knowledge in internal decision-making processes and specific CCS infrastructure activities – concludes Gabriele Notaro at DNV. 

Future Plans 

CETO partners are discussing further activities related to operations under low-pressure conditions, including:

• Investigate alternative materials suitable for use at low temperatures, addressing production and welding technology and to identify a cost-effective solution for the relevant temperature ranges
• Evaluation of the feasibility, benefits, and technical barriers of using re-liquefaction on low-pressure CO₂ ships to control boil-off during transport, thus reducing the necessary design pressure margins for cargo tanks 
• Investigation of solutions for different impurities, including acid produced by chemical reactions under low-pressure conditions
• Examination of chemical reactions between impurities under low-pressure conditions and possible corrosion effect
• Determination of a representative CO₂ product specification for the low-pressure option, which may involve analysing the balance between lowering impurity levels and reducing corrosivity. 

Publications Following the CETO Project 

To date, the following publications have been released based on the project’s work: 

• Gabriele Notaro, Jed Belgaroui, Knut Maråk, Roe Tverrå, Steve Burthom, Erik Mathias Sørhaug “CETO: Technology Qualification of Low-Pressure CO₂ Ship Transport” 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, Lyon 23-27 October 2022
• Michael Drescher, Adil Fahmi, Didier Jamois, Christophe Proust, Esteban Marques-Riquelme, Jed Belgaroui, Leyla Teberikler, Alexandre Laruelle. “Blowdown of CO₂ vessels at low and medium pressure conditions: Experiments and simulations” 0957-5820/© 2023 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
• GHGT16 Proceedings, Poster presentation, “BLOWDOWN OF CO₂ VESSELS AT LOW AND MEDIUM PRESSURE CONDITIONS: EXPERIMENTS AND SIMULATIONS”; Michael Drescher, Adil Fahmi, Didier Jamois, Christophe Proust, Esteban Marques-Riquelme, Jed Belgaroui, Leyla Teberikler, Alexandre Laruelle. 16th Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies Conference, Lyon 23-27 October 2022
• Rod Burgass, Antonin Chapoy “Dehydration requirements for CO₂ and impure CO₂ for ship transport,” Fluid Phase Equilibria. Volume 572, September 2023, 113830
• Antonin Chapoy, Pezhman Ahmadi, Rod Burgass “Direct Measurement of Hydrate Equilibrium Temperature in CO₂ and CO₂ Rich Fluids with Low Water Content,” Fluid Phase Equilibria Volume 581, June 2024, 114063
• Franklin Okoro, Antonin Chapoy, Pezhman Ahmadi, Rod Burgass “Effects of non-condensable CCUS impurities (CH4, O₂, Ar and N₂) on the saturation properties (bubble points) of CO₂-rich binary systems at low temperatures (228.15–273.15 K)” Greenhouse Gases: Science & Technology, 26 December 2023

This Minox-project has received support from the CLIMIT program, amounting to over 3.2 million NOK. The technology has been tested at the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) in their CO₂ capture rig.

– The goal of Minox’s compact CO₂ capture system is to reduce the carbon footprint of energy operators by enabling capture in locations where conventional technology is difficult to use due to space constraints – says Ole Morten Isdahl of Minox Technology AS.

CLIMIT Support Granted in October 2022, with Three Project Objectives

• Document the operation and performance of the Minox “CO₂ Capture System” under various conditions
• Assess the technology’s potential for use in offshore oil and gas operations considering space and weight limitations
• Develop knowledge and expertise for scaling up the system and further large-scale testing

Activities and Implementation

The project involved a research and development effort, including engineering, construction, and testing at USN, alongside analyses conducted by Minox and its partners. The CLIMIT-supported project has resulted in two publications, presented at the Offshore Technology Conference in Brazil (October 2023) and the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston (May 2024). In Houston, Minox participated with a booth and presented the publication during the session “Innovative Topside Design.”

– We conveyed both the core technology and the opportunities for compact CO₂ capture to energy companies during the conference. There is increasing interest in more compact and space-saving solutions – continues Ole Morten Isdahl.

Results

The compact solvent-based capture technology has undergone extensive testing in USN’s test rig. The goal was to quantify effects on process variables related to CO₂ capture from flue gas streams, with both low and high CO₂ concentrations. Minox`s technology is based on static mixers and separators for gas-liquid contact. Tests were conducted using the well-documented CO₂ capture solvent (MEA).

– Four months of operation have shown promising CO₂ capture rates for both low and high CO₂ concentrations. testing also indicates an improvement in CO₂ mass transfer, combined with reduced size requirements. The technology can be retrofitted to facilities with existing emission points and is particularly suited for offshore installations – concludes Ole Morten Isdahl.

Future plans for Minox

Moving forward, work will include scale testing and demonstration under real operating conditions at an emission source. Minox also aims to collaborate with more partners to realize pilot plants with complete integration of CO₂ capture, energy optimization and other processing needs.

By using internationally recognized standards, important barriers to the spread of CO₂ management can be dismantled.

Standards create value

– International standards are crucial for advancing CCS, especially for CCS value chains across national borders. Norway has skilled experts in the field, and we are pleased that CLIMIT can contribute to supporting IOM Law in this important work – says Camilla Bergsli, senior advisor at Gassnova.

ISO TC265 was established in 2011, and today 28 countries participate in the negotiations. ISO TC265 has six working groups, each covering an element of the value chain – capture, transport, storage, cross-cutting issues, CO₂ transport by ship, and CO₂-EOR. “Carbon Dioxide Enhanced Oil Recovery” (CO₂-EOR) is a method used to increase the amount of oil extracted from exploration fields, where the injected and utilized CO₂ is stored in the reservoir. A separate committee under Standards Norway coordinates the participation of Norwegian experts in the various working groups – representing the span of Norwegian CCS and CCUS knowledge.

Standards and technical reports which are developed, create common understanding, gather and spread technical expertise, and provide a commercial basis for the technologies. Moreover, safe and effective implementation of CCS and CO₂-EOR increases acceptance among decision-makers and in society at large.

Project Objectives

The purpose of this CLIMIT-supported project is to contribute to the finalization and publication of documents in ISO TC265, support Norwegian experts in promoting the country’s interests, and disseminate knowledge about the standards and the work. Norwegian matters and needs must be considered so that the documents are correctly applied in Norway, and do not conflict with Norwegian frameworks. ISO TC265 aims to contribute to predictability, cost reductions, and operational frameworks within the legal preconditions in a Norwegian, European, and international framework.

– Standardization is an important building block for the commercialization of CCS. We see that more companies are using the TC265 standards in their projects. Authorities from around the world have adopted these standards or are considering doing so, to bridge gaps or regulate technical details in their own CCS frameworks. In its Industrial Carbon Management-strategy from February this year, EU has communicated an increased focus on the use of standards for the European CCS framework.
This is to facilitate a commercial European market for CCS, and underscores that the work being done in the Norwegian mirror committee is more important than ever – says Ingvild Ombudstvedt, lawyer at IOM Law.

Ingvild Ombudstvedt ready to work for new standards.

Activities

The storage standard (27914) from 2017 has been reopened for revision, e.g. to include tools for quantification and verification of stored CO₂ volumes. A lot of work was put into the first part of the project. An updated standard is aimed for 2025. Furthermore, the technical report for converting CO₂-EOR to pure storage was almost completed in the fall of 2023. Publication is expected in 2024.
Fall 2023, the technical report for CO₂ ship transport was also sent for review by the international committee. Publication is expected in 2024.

In 2023, there have been numerous activities related to the dissemination of project results, and assistance to new ISO TC265 countries. Presentations have been conducted at TCCS in Trondheim and at the 100-year anniversary of Standards Norway in Oslo. Additionally, in workshops for Asian developing countries organized by the U.S. Department of Commerce, experts from Norway, USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia have shared views and experiences from the standardization work.

Highlights

The project has contributed to completion of technical reports concerning the conversion of CO₂-EOR to pure storage, and concerning CO₂-transport by ship. The U.S. Department of Commerce – Commercial Law Development Program (CLDP), has recognized the value of ISO TC265 for regulatory development of CCUS in developing countries.

In the latter part of 2023, a technical committee for CCUS was established in the European Committee for Standardization. This committee will focus on converting more of the standards under TC265, into European matters – as well as negotiating new standards in which the ISO standards do not consider. Norwegian representatives participate in this work going forward.

Ragnhild Skagestad from SINTEF Industry leads the study, which could result in a contribution to a possible “National Transport Plan” for CO₂ – similar to the current Norwegian National Transport Plan (NTP), a document which outlines Norway’s transport policy and investments for a twelve-year period.

Study Phase

– At SINTEF we are now focusing on developing a roadmap for CO₂ management, which includes the transportation of CO₂ between and within clusters that are already involved in the handling of CO₂. The project is in a study phase, with the potential to become a full-scale national initiative. The goal is to develop a holistic approach which integrates the various industry segments for better collaboration and efficiency – says Ragnhild.

One of the biggest challenges is coordinating the transportation of CO₂, from various capture sites to storage sites. The project is considering different transport methods – such as pipelines, ships, trains, and trucks – each with their unique challenges and requirements. It’s crucial to create infrastructure which also covers future needs, so that pipes and storage may accommodate increasing CO₂-volumes.

Standardization

Ragnhild and her colleagues at SINTEF are evaluating how standardized CO₂ transport methods can be effectively utilized, to handle different geographical and industrial conditions while exploiting site-specific advantages. – For instance, pipelines may be ideal in some regions, and shipping might be better suited in other parts of the country. Transnational CO₂ transport may lead to other transport needs – Ragnhild notes.

An agreement was recently signed between several countries, including Norway, making transnational CO₂ transport legal.

Norway has a unique position thanks to its advanced technological knowledge and experience from the offshore sector. This project has the potential to set standards that could also be implemented across Europe. SINTEF is in dialogue with the EU to develop a joint strategy which also considers country specific conditions and needs.

Collaboration is Key

– We interact closely with industrial clusters to ensure that the solutions we develop are scalable and adaptable. This involves exchanging knowledge and technologies that can promote the standardization of the infrastructure. Coordinating the CO₂ networks is absolutely essential to achieve an effective national strategy – Ragnhild adds.

Through the project, SINTEF will engage in dialogue and collaboration with ongoing clusters in various locations across Norway. This includes all, from large industrial conglomerates to innovative startups. During the concept study, a workshop will be held where potential partners are invited. The collaboration also extends to academic institutions to ensure the project stays up to date with the latest research.

What Happens Next?

Ragnhild is optimistic and looks forward to moving from ideas to a feasibility study, where a roadmap for CO₂ infrastructure will be developed. This includes detailed mapping of CO₂ sources and potential storage sites, along with the development of efficient and sustainable infrastructure. The goal is to create a robust system for future CO₂ infrastructure, not only serving Norway but also addresses global challenges.

– This CO₂ infrastructure project has the potential to strengthen Norway’s position as a leader in CO₂ management. By developing technologies and then sharing them, SINTEF’s work can contribute to European collaboration against the climate change. This combines industrial development and sustainability – says Ernst Petter Axelsen, senior advisor at Gassnova and CLIMIT.

Liquid absorbent solutions, such as amines, can be used to capture CO₂ in flue gases from various types of processes. The project addressed the challenges of absorption-based CO₂ capture processes, which have proven to be less effective when dealing with diluted gas streams. Emission sources with low CO₂ concentration can vary widely depending on industry, technology, and emission reduction measures.

Different Emission Sources

An example of low-CO₂ emission sources is flue gases from the combustion of natural gas, which generally have a lower concentration compared to coal or heavy oil. – The purpose of this project was to explore and improve the efficiency of carbon capture related to flue gases with lower CO₂ concentrations, and to investigate whether degradation products in the absorbent affected the capture capacity – says Svein Bekken, senior advisor at Gassnova.

Extensive Pilot and Laboratory Tests

The research team conducted a series of pilot and laboratory tests. A mobile testing unit (MTU) was used to investigate carbon capture processes at CO₂ concentrations of 2.5 to 5%. Tests showed that even with low CO₂ concentrations, it was possible to achieve capture efficiency between 85 and 95 percent. The results also indicated a significant increase in energy consumption for carbon capture at lower CO₂ concentrations, which was expected from theoretical calculations.

Laboratory tests were also conducted to study the effect of degradation products on the solution’s absorption properties. The tests indicated that degradation products examined did not significantly affect the solution’s ability to absorb CO₂.

Important for Further Development

This project has achieved its main objectives by demonstrating the feasibility of effective CO₂ capture at lower concentrations, without simultaneously proving fundamental obstacles to the use of technology. Research also shows that some degradation products could be partially regenerated, opening up savings in solvent consumption.

– These findings represent important steps forward for plants operating with lower CO₂ concentrations in the flue gases. The insights will be further utilized in the implementation of more efficient carbon capture solutions for a range of industrial applications – Svein Bekken states.

Project partner: University of South-East Norway

Project leader: Aker Carbon Capture

The amine used to capture CO₂ degrades over time, mainly due to contact with oxygen. The MeDORA project may provide a solution to this problem and will demonstrate that the use of membrane technology will further reduce the operating costs of carbon capture plants using amine solutions to capture CO₂. – By avoiding the degradation of the amine solution, both the efficiency and lifetime of the CO₂ capture technology will be improved. This will reduce costs,” says project manager Luca Ansaloni, SINTEF.

Ambitious goals

MeDORA stands for “Membrane-assisted Dissolved Oxygen Removal Apparatus”. The key challenge of the project is to remove the oxygen so effectively that amine degradation is significantly reduced. The aim is to remove 90% of the oxygen, which can lead to a 70% reduction in OPEX and a reduction in the environmental impact of the capture plant (less waste generation, reduced emissions). As a side-effect, MeDORA is also expected to achieve better quality of the CO₂ product and reduce the cost of post-processing to meet CO₂ transport specifications. – These are ambitious goals, but we believe they are achievable,” says Aage Stangeland, ACT coordinator at the Research Council of Norway.

The MeDORA project started just after the summer last year and is still in its early stages. It is an international collaboration with partners such as SINTEF, NTNU, Aker Carbon Capture, RWE Power, TNO and HVC. The Norwegian partners have received NOK 8 million from the CLIMIT programme through the international ACT collaboration for the period until 2026.

Common challenges

The development of CCS technologies, as represented by MeDORA, faces three main challenges:

• Technical complexity
  Developing efficient and reliable methods for the capture, transport and permanent storage of CO₂ is technically challenging. Innovations in materials technology, chemistry and process design are needed to increase efficiency and reduce costs.
• Scalability
  Demonstrating that the technology can be scaled up from pilot or laboratory scale to full-scale industrial applications is a challenge. This will require significant investment and strong collaboration between industry, government, and research organisations.
• Cost-effectiveness
  The cost of CCS is still relatively high. Cost reduction through technological innovation and efficiency improvements is important to make CCS a viable solution on a global scale.

Catalyst for international collaboration

MeDORA is part of the ACT programme, which accelerates and matures CCUS technologies by funding international research and innovation projects. The Research Council of Norway and Gassnova are the Norwegian representatives in ACT, and the CLIMIT programme contributes funds to ACT’s calls for proposals.

It is through initiatives such as ACT that Norwegian companies interact with leading international environments – as Aker Carbon Capture is now doing through the MeDORA project.