CO2 capture to reduce Netherlands refinery emissions by 90%

AIR Liquide Engineering & Construction has signed a contract with Zeeland Refinery for a carbon capture and liquefaction facility at the refinery’s Vlissingen site in the Netherlands. It is expected to reduce emissions by more than 90%, capturing more than 800,000 t/y of CO₂.

The facility will employ Air Liquid’s Cryocap FG, a solvent-free carbon dioxide (CO₂) capture and liquefaction technology that removes the greenhouse gas from flue gases. Cryocap relies on electricity rather than thermal energy, which allows products to run on renewable energy to further reduce environmental impact of sites using the technology.

Under the agreement, Air Liquide will provide the license, process design package, and technical services for the facility which will capture emissions from two hydrogen production units at the Vlissingen site. It will have the capacity to liquefy 2,400 t/d of CO₂. The pure, liquefied CO₂ will be transported and stored in the Dutch North Sea.

Air Liquide expects the facility will be operational in 2025.

Nathalie De Muynck, General Manager of Zeeland Refinery, said: “Zeeland Refinery is proud to be one of the first movers in industry to take a major step in the field of CO₂ emission reduction by applying carbon capture and storage. By integrating the innovative Air Liquide technology into the existing refinery scheme, Zeeland Refinery will strengthen its position in the low carbon future that lies ahead of us.”