ConsenCUS was present in the European Water Technology Week 2024 in Leeuwarden with about 1000 participants. An inspiring parallel session, hosted by Wetsus’ Dr. Sara Vallejo Castaño, was dedicated to sharing the details of the technology and the main findings and achievements of the CO2 capture and utilization pilot.
Pim Fredrix from New Energy Coalition kickstarted the session with an overview of the project motivation, main goals, and expected impacts, as well as a short explanation of the project concept that challenged the audience to check their basic chemistry knowledge. Then, Sai Hema Bhavya Vinjarapu from DTU (Technical University of Denmark) revealed the results of our first-of-a-kind pilot and how it is different from more traditional post-combustion carbon capture systems. Fariboz Shaahmadi from HWU (Heriot Watt University Edinburgh) followed with a deep dive into the theory of CO2 capture and expected results based on process modelling and simulation, which was a challenging task when trying to combine highly innovative technologies that are not typically embedded in traditional process simulators (such as Aspen plus). Finally, Allison Marques from COVAL Energy gave an overview of the utilization process and how formic acid production from CO2 could revolutionize the SAF industry. The session not only highlighted the project, but it was also a platform for the people behind the technologies to tell their own stories and an opportunity to connect with key stakeholders such as technology providers and new generation of students that will be the ones taking the technology to the next level.