It is broadly accepted that reducing man-made carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions is crucial to respond to the threat of climate change, and for the future of the planet.
There has been an increasing global commitment to respond to the undisputable threat of climate change. The adoption of the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) , ratified by 175 countries, aims to hold the increase in the global average temperature to 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognising that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change.
To achieve these ambitious targets, fundamental changes are needed to reduce the CO2 that we emit from industrial processes and energy generation.
Increasing number of cement and lime companies have greatly accelerated their decarbonisation efforts, with corporate commitments to carbon neutrality by 2050.
The Calix Technology re-engineers the existing process flows of a traditional calciner, indirectly heating the limestone via a special steel vessel. This unique system enables pure CO2 to be captured as it is released from the limestone, as the furnace exhaust gases are kept separate. It is also a solution which requires no additional chemicals or processes, and requires minimal changes to the conventional processes for cement as it simply replaces the calciner.
As two-thirds of CO2 emission from cement production is generated from the limestone itself, this technology offers a unique opportunity as it can capture these emissions without significant energy or capital penalty. The energy losses associated with the Calix Technology are primarily heat losses in the equipment, and CO2 compression (for transport and storage).
Our technology has the potential to be used with alternative fuels and other capture technologies to reach the targeted 80% emission reduction in 2050.
European Union Horizon 2020 (H2020) research and innovation projects
Calix’s technology is being piloted with the world’s largest cement and lime companies to mitigate their carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions dramatically without significant energy or capital penalty.