CO2-reduction through sector coupling: Rohrdorfer participates in ZEUS joint project
Rohrdorfer is participating in the joint project ZEUS (Zero Emissions throUgh Sector Coupling). Within the framework of the project, technologies for the recovery and use of CO2 are to be tested in an interlocked manner in order to optimize them for various industrial sectors. The project is funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy Fund and is carried out within the framework of the Energy Research Programme 2022 (total costs: € 16.8 million, funding € 7.7 million). In addition to Rohrdorfer, numerous renowned partners from the energy sector, industry and research are involved. The four-year project started in October 2023 and is coordinated by the K1-MET Competence Centre.
CO2-neutral cement production through capture, utilisation and storage
The Rohrdorf Group has set itself the goal of CO2 neutrality by 2038. 60% of the cement industry‘s CO2 emissions can be avoided, for example by changing cement recipes or using alternative fuels. However, 40% are unavoidable and must be recovered and further processed or permanently stored. The Rohrdorfer Net Zero Emission team is therefore pursuing several approaches to capture, use and store carbon dioxide.
CO2 electrolysis process developed by Rohrdorfer enables formic acid production
The ZEUS joint project comprises several promising approaches that are to be coupled in demonstration plants to show the separation and utilisation of CO2. Rohrdorfer will build a CO2 membrane separation plant at its Hatschek cement works in Gmunden. The aim is to use the plant to recover 500 kg of carbon dioxide per day, which will be purified and synthesised into formic acid. A CO2 electrolysis process developed and patented by Rohrdorfer with a capacity of one kg of product per hour will be used. Another work package of the project is the separation of carbon dioxide by means of amine scrubbing. Subsequently, the load-flexible production of renewable methane with green hydrogen or the direct conversion of CO2 to synthesis gas is planned.
“The coupling of different industries at several sites brings us a big step closer to the realities needed for CCU sector coupling on an industrial scale,” says Dr. Helmut Leibinger, head of the Net Zero Emission team at Rohrdorfer. “We are pleased to be actively shaping the use of CO2 with many high-calibre partners from the steel, energy and cement industries, as well as renowned research institutions.”
