CoCCuS

In 2014, the EU agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 40% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in all sectors of the economy. This was the basis of the EU commitment under the Paris Agreement on climate change. This treaty sets targets for various energy-intensive sectors that significantly contribute to CO2 emissions. There are cases of industries that emit “process” CO2 of mineralogical origin that cannot be avoided, such as cement, lime and magnesite production. For these cases it is necessary to develop technoeconomically attractive CO2 capture and utilization technologies to minimize their environmental footprint and reduce their exposure to potential large CO2 emissions prices. The CoCCUS project develops a novel CO2 capture system tailored to the flue-gasses of energy intensive industries with process CO2 emissions, using a K2CO3 solution and novel Carbonic Anhydrase (CA) enzymes. The pure CO2 will be used to produce high added-value products. From the various options for CO2 utilization, the conversion of CO2 to methanol using hydrogen and subsequently to proteins useful for food production. The industrial partners of the project, CaO Hellas, Grecian Magnesite, AGET HERACLES, will analyze the specifications and the requirements / adjustments of their units in order to enable the CO2 capture technology to be integrated in their plants. Solmeyea will undertake the cultivation and production of an organic macromolecule (yeast) using CO2 and ammonia, in order to investigate the possibility of providing an environmentally sustainable solution for the production of edible products. CERTH and NHRF research institutes will also contribute in order to achieve the ambitious goals of CoCCUS. They have significant experience in the implementation of research projects aimed at developing innovative technologies for emissions reduction and CO2 capture (CERTH) and the discovery and characterization of enzymes (NHRF). The ultimate goal of the project is to reduce the environmental impact of magnesia / CaO / cement production plants and to kick-off the CO2 economy in Greece by exploring innovative low cost (<25 € / tCO2) CO2 capture and utilization technologies.