01-07-2021

Lhoist joins ArcelorMittal France, IFP Energies nouvelles, Axens and Total in the dinamX project

Coordinated by Axens, the four-year dinamX “Demonstration and Innovative Applications of the DMX™ Process” project was launched by partners ArcelorMittal France, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) and Total in 2020. Supported by the French Investments for the Future Program led by ADEME, dinamX is aimed at studying the application potential of DMX™ technology, stemming from IFPEN’s Research, for the decarbonization of blast furnace gases to new types of industrial CO2 emitters.

CO2 capture and storage (CCS) technologies appear essential to reduce industrial CO2 emissions and achieve carbon neutrality, particularly in France where such emissions account for more than 30% of overall emissions. According to the International Energy Agency, CCS should make it possible to reduce CO2 emissions in the energy and processes sector by 5.6 Gt by 2050 within the context of a Sustainable Development Scenario (SDS).

Stemming from IFPEN’s Research, the DMX™ process, developed and commercialized by Axens uses a more effective solvent than reference amine-based processes, which are energy-intensive due to the solvent regeneration. This highly competitive technology should enable a 30% reduction in the cost of CO2 capture. It is set to be demonstrated on an industrial pilot facility constructed in modular form by Axens at the ArcelorMittal France site in Dunkirk, at the end of 2021, within the framework of the European H2020 “3D” project, final step prior the marketing of the process.

Map of industrial CO2emissions in France
In order to determine the potential avenues for rolling out the DMX™ process at industrial sites other than steelmaking (cement works, refineries, incinerators, etc.), the dinamX partners began by mapping the biggest CO2 emitters across France.

CO2 emissions for these industrial emitters were qualified (flows, impurities, pressure) in order to identify the sites for which application of the DMX™ process would be feasible. In addition, a regional analysis resulted in the creation of a CO2 emissions dispersal index2 and the identification of two regions, Hauts-de-France and Normandy, where emissions could be grouped together in a CCS “hub”. 86 million metric tons of CO2 emissions, among the least dispersed in France, could thus be treated each year via CCS, provided storage sites are available.

A new step for the dinamX project
A new step in the dinamX project is set to begin with the launch of a case study at the Réty limestone plant site (Hauts-de-France), operated by Lhoist, a Belgian company specializing in the production of limestone and Dolomite. A technical and economic study will be conducted in order to determine the quantity of CO2 necessary to capture as well as the cost of using the DMX™ process.

”Lhoist's involvement in the project reflects our ambition to extend the application of DMX™ CO2 capture technology to new CO2 emitter sectors. This represents another step forward on the road to the decarbonization of industry”, says Christian Streicher, Gas Development Director at Axens.

“For Lhoist, the creation of hubs collecting CO2emissions from multiple industrial players is a fundamental model of collaboration that will underpin a carbon-neutral society. Contributing to the emergence of innovative techniques enabling individual emitters to capture, purify, collect and use or store their emissions is a highly mobilizing “adventure” , particularly working alongside our major commercial partners” , affirms Thierry Chopin, CO2 Innovation VP, at Lhoist.