UK-based Cleanova has announced the launch of its new filtration technology designed for carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS) applications.
By capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from various emitters, CCUS is set to play a key role in achieving global Net Zero emission targets.
To ensure that CO2 is free from both solid and liquid contamination, filtration technology is used to separate the captured gases from each other.
“Filtration technology plays a pivotal role at every stage in the carbon capture process, from the arrival of the feed gas, through chemical absorption to final storage and transportation,” explained Chris Nixon, Engineering and Products Director at Cleanova.
According to Nixon, each filtration solution needs to be tailored to specific conditions such as CO2 concentration, the nature of the emission source, the presence of other contaminants, temperature and pressure.
“This means that CCUS operators and system designers need to work collaboratively with filtration experts from the outset to achieve optimal results.”
The Cleanova.C-CLEAN technology suite includes UNIQ-MAX High Capacity Filters, which prevent absorb plugging by removing high quantities of suspended particles from feed gases.
This is in addition to liquid/gas coalescers to ensure solvent purity, activated carbon filters to eliminate hydrocarbons and contaminants and oil mist eliminators to ensure clean exhaust air, states the company.
“Cleanova.C-CLEAN supports our overarching mission to enable clean environments through innovative filtration solutions,” said Nixon.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), CCUS can deliver nearly 15% of the cumulative emissions reductions needed to meet Net Zero goals.
In 2022, global CCUS capacity reached approximately 40 million tonnes of CO2 annually, with over 35 commercial facilities operational worldwide.
The filtration process is a key component of carbon capture. It typically involves chemical solvents, solid sorbents, or membranes that selectively absorb or separate CO2 from flue gases.
One common method, post-combustion capture, uses amine-based solvents to trap CO2 after fossil fuel combustion. Without filtration, the captured CO2 would contain impurities, making storage or reuse more difficult.
The Global CCS Institute states that to meet climate targets, over 2,000 large-scale CCUS facilities must be built by 2050.
