Calix welcomes the announcement by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) that two Leilac projects have been selected for grant funding[1]. The awards provide funding to undertake preliminary front-end engineering design (pre-FEED) studies, and remain subject to final negotiation and execution over the next few months.
In welcoming the announcement from the U.S. DOE, Calix CEO and Managing Director, Phil Hodgson said, “Building on our progress in the U.S. with Heirloom and Direct Air Capture, it is very pleasing to see our Leilac business progress in applications for our CO2 capture technology in the cement and lime sectors in the U.S., with major players.
“We look forward to concluding the grant agreements and developing these exciting projects that have the potential to demonstrate industry leading solutions to produce both low-carbon cement and lime at commercial scale.”
Cement decarbonisation with Titan and Amazon
A project led by Roanoke Cement Company, a member of the Titan Group, in partnership with Leilac US Inc, Amazon, and Virginia Tech, was selected for the award of US$1.49 million. Located in Roanoke, Virginia, the project seeks to develop the application of the Leilac technology to directly capture over 500,000 tonnes of unavoidable process CO2 from cement scope one emissions at high purity, simplifying post-capture equipment requirements.
The project also aims to advance the Leilac technology by demonstrating:
1. Compatibility with low carbon fuels and electrification
2. Modular design and staged integration to facilitate retrofit with minimal operational downtime
3. Flexibility of layout, footprint, and system height to help ensure scalability and replicability to a broad range of plants.
Making net-zero lime with Mississippi Lime Company
A project led by Mississippi Lime Company, in partnership with Leilac US Inc, Industrial Ally, and Nuada LTD, was selected for the award of US$1.5 million. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, the project seeks to demonstrate the viability of net-zero lime manufacturing. The approach centres on using Leilac’s technology for process emission capture and alternative fuel use, coupled with Nuada’s carbon capture system for combustion emissions. The technology has the potential to enhance energy efficiency, reduce overall energy consumption, and lower the carbon footprint of the production process while improving local air quality.
[1] The selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding. Before funding is issued, DOE and the applicants will undergo a negotiation process, with execution of the grant awards subject to the agreement of grant terms and conditions. The DOE may cancel negotiations and rescind the selection for any reason during that time.
