Climate & environment

Technology to capture carbon dioxide is being tested in Växjö

Agneta Elmegård

Updated 12.54 | Published 11.37

As one of the first energy companies in the world, Växjö Energi invests in carbon dioxide capture to achieve negative emissions. And you do it at the Sandviksverket. Photo: Jonas Ljungdahl

This summer, Växjö Energi is hosting a pilot plant for the capture of carbon dioxide via a mobile plant at the Sandviksverket. The technology for separating the carbon dioxide from the flue gases is called HPC, hot potassium carbonate, and is a well-documented industrial separation method that is being tested in several countries.

A mobile plant for carbon dioxide separation will be installed at the Sandviksverket during May–June with planned start of operation at the end of June. The aim is to test HPC, a separation method for greenhouse gases. The project is carried out in collaboration with Växjö Energi and Sumitomo SHI FW, which is responsible for the equipment.

- We look forward to gaining valuable insights in order to eventually be able to tailor a permanent solution for the Sandviksverket. We have a great potential to reach minus emissions in Växjö, comments Erik Tellgren, CEO of Växjö Energi, in a press release.

The test facility will be in operation until the end of September. After that, the data from the test will be analyzed to evaluate how well the solution works with the Sandviksverket's specific conditions.

The technology for separating the carbon dioxide from the flue gases is called HPC, hot potassium carbonate, or BECCS (Bio Energy Carbon Capture and Storage), which is a well-proven industrial technology where carbon dioxide is separated. The advantages are considered to be low energy use and high cost efficiency. One of the world's largest carbon capture facilities, Orca, is located in Iceland, operated by Climateworks and opened in 2021. Where each turbine has a capture capacity of up to 4,000 tons of CO₂ per year.

Climateworks in Iceland is one of the pioneers in capturing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. Photo: Agneta Elmegård

Växsjö energi's hope is to have a permanent facility in place by 2028 and they believe that there is potential to capture approximately 200,000 tons of carbon dioxide annually at a permanent facility in the future.
- We are happy to be able to test the HPC solution with Växjö Energi, an energy company with a strong focus on sustainable development. Real operating conditions give us the opportunity to further optimize the technology. This is an excellent example of how companies can work together to help meet society's climate goals, said Frank Ligthart, VP of Circular Carbon at SFW, in the press release.
 

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Death toll rises after road collapse

TT

Parts of the highway collapsed. Photo: New China/AP/TT

The death toll from the highway collapse in southern China's Guangdong province on Wednesday has risen to 36, local authorities said.

In total, about twenty vehicles and about 50 people were involved in the accident, which took place on a stretch between the city of Meizhou and the Dabu area.

The cause of the road collapse is said to be the extreme weather in the form of heavy rains, floods, hail and a deadly tornado that hit Guangdong in recent weeks.