Capture of CO₂ from air (AirCO₂Capture)

Norsk Hydro and Climeworks collaborated on a six months feasibility study to explore the potential integration of Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology into an aluminum smelter environment, in Norway. The study was funded by Gassnova under the CLIMIT program.

This study considered the capture of 40 000 tons of CO₂ per year for underground storage as a baseline, preventing these greenhouse gases from contributing to global warming.

Two scenarios were evaluated, a stand-alone DAC plant and an integrated DAC plant with an aluminum smelter. The later scenario focused on making use of the excess heat, generated in the production of aluminum, to create the steam required for Climeworks technology.
During this study, interfaces and design criteria were identified, different heat recovery and integration options were evaluated, and a techno-feasibility study was performed.

The collaboration between Climeworks and Hydro ended after the study. The study results provided important input for future implementations of such projects.