The Global Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Institute has recognized InnoTech Alberta’s groundbreaking innovations to improve carbon capture technology, in conjunction with Alberta Innovates. The CCS Institute is an international think tank focused on carbon capture and storage, considering it a vital factor in achieving climate neutrality.
“We believe our technology represents a promising second-generation CO2 capture solution.”
– Aref Najafi, InnoTech Alberta
InnoTech Alberta and Alberta Innovates have made several impressive innovations, but the three recognized specifically by the CCS are:
- Alternative Absorption Tower: An energy-efficient design that utilizes structured packing materials to enhance CO2 absorption, improving performance while lowering costs.
- Microwave heating technology: Microwave heating is used to regenerate solvents that capture CO2 from the air or other gases, evenly heating them from the inside out (volumetric heating). This method makes it easier to release the CO2 at lower temperatures and reduces energy consumption.
- Utilization of a water-lean solvent: A water-lean solvent is used to reduce the amount of energy it takes to heat it up and release the CO2 it captures—about half as much energy compared to traditional methods. This also helps the equipment (like the reboiler, which does the heating) work more efficiently and reduces wear and tear on the solvent, so it lasts longer.
Aref Najafi, Manager, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Decarbonization at InnoTech elaborated on the importance of being recognized by the CCS: “The report serves as an international platform to showcase our ideas and advancements, establishing a competitive standard for cost-effective and energy-efficient CO2 capture solutions. We believe our technology represents a promising second-generation CO2 capture solution that can make a substantial contribution to addressing one of humanity’s most pressing challenges: Climate change.”
In addition to being recognized by the CCS Institute, InnoTech Alberta has recently been awarded $10 million from Prairies Economic Development Canada. These funds will support the development of a new facility at the Edmonton Research Park (ERP), dedicated to manufacturing bitumen into carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber is an exceptional material, valued for being lighter than steel and aluminum, resistant to corrosion, and both thermally and electrically conductive. Though the benefits are clear, the cost of production is something of a hurdle and is perhaps the biggest challenge with which InnoTech Alberta will have to contend. The new InnoTech Alberta facility aims to address the greater market need for bitumen-based carbon fiber production, offsetting the costliness of production.
With advancements made in both carbon capture and bitumen-based production, InnoTech Alberta continues to drive innovation forward, enhancing the global profile of the Edmonton Research Park and Alberta.