Compact CO₂ Capture: Absorption Without Large Space Requirements

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.