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Repsol Sinopec and PUCRS Launch Pioneering CO₂ Capture Equipment, Capable of Storing 300 Tons Annually, Driving Decarbonization.
Repsol Sinopec, in collaboration with PUCRS, inaugurated an innovative device aimed at the direct capture of CO₂ present in the atmosphere. This equipment is capable of storing up to 300 tons of gas annually, representing a significant step in the industrial decarbonization process. The innovation is part of a large-scale project that seeks to reduce global emissions through advanced technological solutions.
Named DAC 300TA, the device is part of the NET initiative, or Negative Emissions Technology. This program is an effort to decrease the environmental impact caused by various sources of carbon dioxide and carbon gas. The implementation of these technologies is essential to mitigate global warming and preserve the environment. The CO₂ capture driven by these solutions reflects the commitment of the companies involved to seek sustainable alternatives for the future of the planet.
Launch of DAC 300TA: Innovation in CO₂ Capture
The inauguration of the DAC 300TA, which is an innovative and pioneering piece of equipment in Latin America for direct CO₂ capture from the air, signals a new era in the development of technologies aimed at negative emissions, thus helping to address climate change. This significant moment took place at the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) in Porto Alegre and was attended by representatives from Repsol Sinopec Brazil, as well as various researchers and authorities from the sector. During the event, participants also had the opportunity to visit the site where the DAC 300TA was installed and get to know the Low Carbon Technologies Laboratory already implemented in the institution’s infrastructure.
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Project DAC SI: Global Ambition for CO₂ Emission Reduction
The DAC 300TA equipment has the capacity to capture up to 300 tons of CO₂ annually, integrating the Direct Air Capture System Integration (DAC SI) project. This project was launched in partnership between Repsol Sinopec Brazil and PUCRS in 2022 and constitutes a vital part of the research efforts directed at carbon capture and injection underground. This initiative is directly aligned with the global ambition of the Repsol Group, which aims to achieve net zero carbon neutrality by 2050. According to Cassiane Nunes, Portfolio Support Manager at Repsol Sinopec Brazil, ‘The DAC 300TA is an unprecedented project in Latin America and represents a crucial contribution to the reduction of carbon gas. The technology including CO₂ capture reinforces our commitment to economic decarbonization and highlights our leadership role in the energy transition.’
Funding and Innovation at PUCRS: Advances in CO₂ Capture
The project, which was funded with resources from the Research, Development, and Innovation clause from the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP) concession contracts, had an investment exceeding R$ 60 million, encompassing both research and infrastructure. PUCRS is at the forefront of research initiatives in the potential for CO₂ capture and storage in Brazil, which is why it was chosen as an essential partner in this project by Repsol Sinopec Brazil. Since February, the university’s first DAC reactor has been operational, with a collection capacity of 15 tons of CO₂ annually, conducting tests in a tropical environment with high humidity and temperatures, conditions that are not well studied globally.
The Expansion of CO₂ Capture Capacity and Focus on Modularity
The DAC 300TA will promote a 20-fold increase in the direct capture capacity of carbon dioxide and, thanks to its modularity, will allow research to be conducted simultaneously on different CO₂ adsorbent materials under the same environmental conditions, generating results that can be directly compared. In addition, studies to improve the efficiency of the CO₂ capture process will become more feasible. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), there are currently 27 DAC plants in operation globally; however, the DAC SI stands out as a reference, being the first unit in Latin America.
Future Perspectives: Mineralization and CO₂ Removal
With the progress of research, DAC technology, when combined with the mineralization of CO₂ in basalt, presents the possibility of being a technically innovative alternative for the lasting removal of atmospheric CO₂, contributing significantly to the permanent and safe mitigation of climate change. The DAC 300TA equipment comprises a system of 20 reactors, each with an annual capacity to capture 15 tons of CO₂, which when organized in groups of five sets of four reactors, reach a capture capacity of up to 300 tons.
The Technological Process of CO₂ Capture and Storage
The technology adopted in DAC systems includes the use of large fans to pull in air, which is then directed through internal filters filled with materials designed for CO₂ adsorption, separating it from other gases present. Following this, the desorption process occurs, using a temperature and pressure oscillation system, allowing for the release of CO₂. After this phase, the concentrated CO₂ is compressed and can be transported as needed, whether for immediate use, injection underground for geological storage, or used as a raw material in new products, such as synthetic fuels.
The Potential of Brazil in Using Renewable Energy for DAC
Brazil has favorable geological conditions for CO₂ storage, represented by the Serra Geral formation, located in the Paraná Basin, which is one of the largest onshore basalt flows globally. To ensure the negative emissions, it is essential that the DAC unit is powered solely by renewable energy. In this context, Brazil stands out for having about 80% of its electric matrix coming from renewable sources, providing a significant competitive advantage for the implementation of technologies like CO₂ capture.
Source: Press REPSOL SINOPEC
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