Demonstration of an electrochemical mobile CO₂ capture and utilization system: Design and implementation at industrial sites

A containerized, mobile CO₂ capture and utilization demonstration plant was designed, constructed, and implemented. The demonstration plant, built as part of the ConsenCUS project, has a maximum capacity to treat a flue gas of 500 Nm 3 /h removing up to 100 kg/h CO₂. The plant comprises three modules: CO₂ capture, solvent regeneration, and CO₂ utilization. The CO₂ absorbing solvent is mainly composed of potassium hydroxide and the unit can handle high temperature flue gas impurities of SO x and NO x types. The demonstration plant incorporates the electrochemical regeneration of K 2 CO 3 using two electrolyzer stacks, each capable of operating at current densities of up to 1000 A/m². This regeneration module offers a combination of operational flexibility and potential advantages in terms of electrification and energy integration. Four operational modes for the regeneration process - parallel, sequential, serial, and island - are presented and discussed. The utilization module could produce 15 l/h of potassium formate solution (20 wt%) turning the captured CO₂ into an economically and environmentally beneficial product. The implementation of this pilot plant offers insights into scaling up mobile CO₂ capture and utilization systems. Its flexibility and efficiency, coupled with the conversion of CO₂ into a valuable product, demonstrate its potential for broader industrial use. This work advances sustainable carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies for real-world applications.