In partnership with Heirloom, applying the Leilac technology to atmospheric carbon dioxide removal by Direct Air Capture.
Opportunity & challenges
To achieve global climate goals, decarbonising alone will not be enough. The excess CO₂ already in our atmosphere must also be mitigated.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projects that carbon dioxide removal in the order of 1–10 billion tonnes of CO₂ per year could mitigate residual emissions and, in most scenarios, achieve net negative emissions to return global warming to 1.5°C, following a peak.
Importantly, Direct Air Capture facilities can also be built at locations well suited to directly storing the captured CO2 or with access to existing transport and storage infrastructure.
Both Leilac and Heirloom’s technologies are designed to harness limestone, an abundant and inexpensive material that, when heated, forms lime – a highly effective sorbent for the capture of CO₂.
Heirloom’s Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology uses lime in a novel carbonation process to directly capture CO₂ from the air and form limestone. This process accelerates the natural binding of CO₂ and lime from a period of years to just three days.
After binding and removing CO₂ from the air, the reformed limestone is fed back into the renewably powered Leilac kiln, where the CO₂ is separated and captured, and the cycle begins again.
The CO₂ removed from the air will be mineralised, where it is bound to rocks or other materials, or injected underground into existing natural geological structures, where it remains safely and permanently stored.
The integrated Heirloom and Leilac DAC solution will be 100% renewably powered to deliver the maximum net reduction of atmospheric CO₂.
Key features & benefits
Heirloom’s Direct Air Capture solution uses lime, made by heating low-cost and abundant limestone, as a sorbent for carbon dioxide. Leilac’s technology is specifically designed to provide the lowest cost solution for the heating of limestone and capture of the carbon dioxide released from the mineral. Together, Heirloom and Leilac’s technologies are targeting the lowest cost Direct Air Capture solution.
Leilac’s electric calcination and carbon capture technology is fully compatible with renewable and intermittent sources of electricity. The integrated Heirloom and Leilac Direct Air Capture solution will be 100% renewably powered to deliver the maximum net reduction of atmospheric CO₂.
All carbon dioxide removed from the atmosphere will be mineralised, where it is bound to rocks or other materials, or injected underground into existing natural geological structures, where it remains safely and permanently stored.
No CO2 captured by Heirloom or Leilac will be used for enhanced oil recovery.
Both Heirloom and Leilac’s technologies are modular to provide a highly scalable blueprint for Direct Air Capture.
Leilac and Heirloom’s technology partnership leverages eight years of significant investment from the European Union and cement and lime industries to support and progress the DAC industry.
Leilac and Heirloom’s partnership is designed to support a range of CO₂ mitigation efforts. The electrification of mineral processing, including cement, lime, iron and steel, and critical minerals, can enable a transition from carbon-intensive to renewable energy inputs, preventing future emissions and improving air quality for local communities.
Projects
Through strong global partnerships and collaboration with industry, academia and government, Leilac is reimagining and delivering the future of Direct Air Capture. We recognise and thank our partners for their vital contributions.
Calix is solving global challenges in industrial decarbonisation and sustainability.
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