Demonstration Plant for CO2 Capture

Pilot Plant Unit @ LFIM, EPFL Valais

 

 

Project Description

The SFOE pilot plant at EPFL is a state-of-the-art facility designed to advance the development of carbon capture technologies. The plant is capable of capturing 1–2 kilograms of CO₂ per day, providing a platform to test and validate innovative materials such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), and amine-functionalized silicas under real-world conditions.

The pilot plant serves a dual purpose:

          1. Material Testing and Validation: The facility enables researchers to evaluate the performance of various adsorbent materials, focusing on key metrics such as CO₂ capture efficiency, energy consumption, and material stability over multiple cycles.

          2. Simulation Model Verification: Data generated from the pilot plant is used to validate advanced process simulation models, such as thermal swing adsorption (TSA) and temperature-vacuum swing adsorption (TVSA). These models are critical for scaling up carbon capture technologies to industrial levels

Project Goals

          1. Develop scalable carbon capture solutions with improved energy efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

          2. Perform life cycle assessments (LCA) to evaluate the sustainability of the materials and processes.

          3. Conduct techno-economic analyses (TEA) to estimate the feasibility and costs of implementing large-scale CO₂ capture systems.

          4. Establish a pathway for scaling up operations to capture 1 ton of CO₂ per day using laboratory-developed materials.

Impact

This project aligns with Switzerland’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering sustainable energy technologies. By bridging the gap between laboratory research and industrial-scale applications, the SFOE pilot plant contributes to the global effort to mitigate climate change and transition to a low-carbon future.

Members

  • Anne Belin

  • Sanjay Venkatachalam

  • Pratap Soni

  • Himan Singh

  • Olivier Smith

Funding Agency

Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE) 

Canton du Valais