St1 and VTT open pilot facility to produce hydrocarbons from industrial CO2 emissions

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Type of post: NEWS.

Investments on renewable energy are booming worldwide and new business opportunities are arising based on various biogenic sources. The new pilot-scale project launched by VTT and St1 on 9th October is a good example (see press release, 10/10/2018).

The pilot-scale facility

Location
St1's Etanolix plant (ethanol from wastes of bread industry) in Jokioinen (Finland).
Feedstock
- Carbon dioxide obtained from the bioethanol production.
- Hydrogen produced with water electrolysis.
Product
Hydrocarbons.
Timeline
The pilot is due to begin in October and run for approximately five weeks.

The pilot plant consists of integrated mobile containers: a unit for processing carbon dioxide, a hydrogen production unit and a synthesis unit for turning the carbon dioxide and the hydrogen into liquid and solid hydrocarbons. In addition to piloting, they will also be evaluating the techno-economic viability of a range of industrial processes that rely on carbon dioxide.

Figure 1. The pilot plant consists of integrated mobile containers (courtesy of VTT)

The project Bioeconomy+

The pilot is part of a two-year project called Bioeconomy+, which is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund, VTT and a number of partners. All the piloted units and equipment will be available for interested stakeholders to use in other process environments and projects.

Figure 2. Diagram of the process (courtesy of VTT)

The main aim of the project is to demonstrate the utilization of biobased CO2 as a raw material for synthetic transportation fuels, biogas upgrading or industrial chemicals/products (so-called power-to-X process). The motivation is also that creation of sustainable and valuable products from bio-CO2 can give additional boost and new business opportunities for Finnish industry.

Bioeconomy+ project partners:
- VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd.
- St1 Renewable Energy Ltd.
- CarbonReUse Finland Ltd.
- Koskisen Ltd.
- BioGTS Oy.
- Jyväskylän Seudun Puhdistamo Oy.
- Ab Stormossen Oy.
- Valoe Corporation.
- JAMK University of Applied Sciences.
- City of Jyväskylä.
- Municipality of Laukaa.
- Town of Kuusamo.
- Mäntsälän Biovoima Oy.
- Forus Oy.
- Suomen Kerta Oy.
- Ineratec GmbH.
Main sponsor: European Regional Development Fund, Programme for Sustainable Growth and Jobs 2014–2020.

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