“To the best of my knowledge, TCM is unrivaled. Without TCM, ION would not be the mature technology that we are today. We are extremely satisfied with the results we have obtained at Mongstad during the winter.”
Since October of last year, Erik Meuleman, Chief Technology Officer of ION Clean Energy. Together with ION’s Research & Development team have conducted a test campaign at TCM on their ICE-31 solvent system. The Dutchman Meuleman joined ION in 2016. The same year as ION was the first US-based CO2 capture company that tested at TCM. “We were a ‘Guinea pig” and laid the ground work for many other US Department of Energy-backed technologies to be further tested at TCM, he says with a smile.”
ION is a dedicated CO2 capture technology company headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. “We have a team of top-notch chemists, numerous engineers with specializations in processes, materials, mechanics, control and automation. As a result, we have strong corporate and administrative support. Currently, we employ 25 professionals and we are experiencing strong, organic growth focused on the continued development of our high-performing teams.”
Chief Technology Officer at ION Clean Energy, Erik Meuleman, has been leading the company’s test campaign at TCM’s amine plant in recent months. “We are extremely satisfied with the results we have achieved,” he says in this interview.
ION’s website boldly promotes your solvent as “The world’s best capture solvent”. You’re not modest.
“I will outline the key advantages of ICE-31 (.pdf) using three bullet points:
The feedback from potential investors and competitors leads us to believe that we have developed something truly exceptional. One of the world’s premier capture solvent systems. If not the best. We eagerly anticipate the moment where independent authoritative third parties corroborate these claims on our new TCM results.”
“The game-changing property of ICE-31 is its exceptional chemical stability in oxidative environments. Feedback indicates that our emissions are very low. If not ultra-low, for a high-performing amine-based system. This enables deep decarbonization of processes with relatively low energy consumption and excellent compatibility with materials.”
Eight years ago, ION tested its ICE-21 solvent at TCM. Now, you have been back with the ICE-31 solvent. Aiming to advance it from TRL 6 to TRL 7.
“Indeed, ICE-21 has been successfully developed. And ION designs its capture plants to be adaptable to either solvent. The choice between them is made on a case-by-case basis.”
“We chose to return to TCM for several compelling reasons. Among these, several stand out:
“Since our project began with the integration of our solvent into the existing TCM plant in October. There has been significant progress. Both ION and TCM teams have embarked on a steep learning curve, gaining valuable insights into each other’s roles and contributions within this collaboration. Specifically, ION has been delving into the intricate details of the TCM Amine Plant’s flexible operations, while TCM has been deepening its understanding of the unique properties of the ICE-31 solvent.
The hallmark of our collaboration has been outstanding teamwork. We have efficiently addressed and resolved challenges that have arisen along the way, showcasing our collective problem-solving capabilities. As we proceed, we are systematically progressing through the project’s work packages, each of which brings us closer to achieving our objectives.
One of the most significant milestones we have been working towards is demonstrating the capture of CO2 beyond its concentration in the ambient air, a territory that has been uncharted for us. The results we have achieved seem very promising.”
“ION is already actively engaged in several projects, and we have garnered the confidence of key industry players who are eager to incorporate our designs and technology. This interest is demonstrated by the visits of prominent companies to TCM during our testing campaign. For instance, we’ve hosted Koch Engineered Solutions, Siemens Energy, and Calpine. All of these companies are in the process of expanding their CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) efforts.
Furthermore, I would consider advocating for advancing to TRL 8 for applications up to 200 ktpa (thousands of metric tons per annum). This expanded scope will enable us to address a broader range of applications and markets. Regardless of the TRL level, it’s crucial to emphasize that testing at a scale larger than 10 MW, as exemplified by TCM, is a prerequisite for securing commercial scale support from the DOE’s Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program, which has $2.5 billion in funding to help accelerate the demonstration and deployment of carbon management technologies.”
“ION receives numerous inquiries each week, indicating a substantial level of interest in our technology. Notably, there are ongoing public projects that are progressing at full capacity, including those with Calpine (Sutter Decarbonization Project and Delta Energy Center) and Tampa Electric (Polk Power Station).
These capture plants have been meticulously designed to capture carbon dioxide emissions, with each capable of capturing over 1 million metric tons per annum (mtpa). The largest of these projects boasts an impressive capacity of 3.7 mtpa, underscoring the significant scale and impact of our initiatives.”
TCM has served as a testing ground for a wide range of technologies, both mature and emerging, since its inception in 2012, and its owners have decided to continue this mission.
“The continued operation of TCM is of immense significance for the CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) industry moving forward. Facilities like TCM play a pivotal role in expediting the development of new technologies, such as ours. As far as I am aware, TCM is unrivaled in its capabilities, and I can confidently say that without TCM, ION would not have had the opportunity to evolve into the mature technology that we are today.
By providing a robust platform for testing and validation, TCM not only accelerates the development of CCS technologies but also ensures their reliability and effectiveness in real-world applications. This, in turn, paves the way for the widespread adoption of CCS solutions, ultimately contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and the advancement of sustainable practices within the industry.”
His Royal Highness Crown Prince Haakon will pay a visit to the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) on Wednesday, March 6th. He will be accompanied by the US Chargée D’Affaires a.i. in Norway, Sharon Hudson-Dean.
“We are deeply honored by Crown Prince Haakon’s interest in visiting TCM. To gain his insights into our work,” says Muhammad Ismail Shah. CEO of the world’s largest and most flexible test center for carbon capture technologies. He will guide the Crown Prince and other distinguished guests through the facility.
Crown Prince Haakon is known for his keen interest in business development and innovation. Particularly on environmental issues and the green transition. He believes that technical innovation plays a crucial role in addressing global challenges. Recently, he spent a day in Bergen, where offshore wind was on the agenda. During his visit, he toured to the Bergen Offshore Wind Research Centre. Located at the University of Bergen and participated in a seminar for industry players in the offshore wind sector. Furthermore, HRH Crown Prince Haakon is scheduled to make an official visit to the West Coast of the USA from 15-18 April 2024, aimed at promoting business cooperation in the areas of green transition and digitalization.
At TCM, the US-based carbon capture company ION Clean Energy (video) has successfully completed its second test campaign for the company’s amine-based capture technology, achieving excellent results link to web case. ION also conducted test at Mongstad in 2016, being the first of a number of US companies to use TCM with partial funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE). In addition, InnoSepra is currently testing its technology in the TCM’s area dedicated to new technologies.
– Our collaboration with the US government and technology developers has been mutually beneficial,” states Muhammad Ismail Shah. “We are excited to showcase how our contributions have supported the development of technologies now being deployed in large-scale carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects in the US.
Furthermore, , several other major technology players have tested at TCM, including Longship, which utilizes Aker Carbon Capture’s technology developed at TCM. All seven major technology suppliers that have engaged with TCM have subsequently initiated projects in various locations worldwide.
Among other distinguished guests expected during the Crown Prince’s visit are Liv Signe Navarsete, Governor of Vestland County, Astrid Bergmål, State Secretary at the Ministry of Energy, Sara Hamre Sekkingstad, Mayor of Alver Municipality, Morten Sognnes, Mayor of Austrheim Municipality, and Kaare Songstad, Commissioner of the Western Police District.
– The world desperately needs cost-effective CO2 capture technologies. Can we in little Norway play a role in providing them? Can we contribute to solving the climate crisis? Yes, we can!
TCM’s managing director, Muhammad Ismail Shah, used Barack Obama’s campaign slogan “Yes, we can”. When he presented TCM’s activities at a meeting with the mayors of Alver, Austrheim, Gulen, Masfjorden and Modalen on Wednesday 21 February. Shah pointed out that the International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that by 2050. 1.7 billion tonnes of CO2 will need to be removed directly from the air and water. And 6 billion tonnes through conventional carbon capture and storage to avoid global warming. The capture facilities that have come online to date will capture around 50 million tonnes.
– In other words, we have a long way to go. But Norway is leading the way with the Longship project,” says Shah, “We look forward to Heidelberg Materials’s capture facility at Brevik becoming operational with a target of 400,000 tonnes of CO2 per year. In addition Aker Carbon Capture’s capture technology has been tested here at TCM. With the transport to the receiving facility in Øygarden. After that the storage under the seabed in the North Sea, we are up and running. Longship and Northern Lights are just the beginning of a new and important industrial chapter in Norway. Internationally, a number of promising CCS initiatives are in the pipeline, not least in the US – stimulated by President Biden’s mammoth green transition programme, the Inflation Reduction Act.
Since its establishment in 2012, TCM has carried out more than 20 test campaigns on various carbon capture technologies. In December last year, an agreement was signed under which the Norwegian state reduced its stake in the company to 34 per cent, while Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies increased their stakes to 22 per cent each. “The owners have collectively challenged me and all of my employees to ensure that in 2024 and 2025, we position the company for a future where operations will be self-sustaining,” said Muhammad Ismail Shah. “The programme we are implementing to achieve this goal is called TCM 2.0. Can we succeed? “Yes, we can!”
The TCM CEO thanked the mayors present for the support and interest the company has received in the region over the years. They reciprocated by congratulating Shah and his staff on the new operating agreement and wishing them well for the future. They also heard interesting presentations from the new director of Equinor Mongstad, Bernt E. Tysseland, and the project manager for Greenspot Mongstad, Einar Våge, who outlined the plans for the greening of Mongstad.
InnoSepra, led by Dr. Ravi Jain, is dedicated to developing clean energy technologies tailored for diverse end-users.
Their expertise encompasses various carbon capture methods. Including direct air capture, and capture from industrial sources with varying CO2 concentrations. Additionally, InnoSepra pioneers’ innovative solutions in flue gas purification. And CO2 compression, applicable across a spectrum of carbon capture technologies.
Following testing of their first-generation post combustion carbon capture technology at an NRG facility in Delaware, InnoSepra has embarked on testing its second-generation technology at TCM at the “Site for Emerging technologies”. With partial funding from the US Department of Energy (DoE).
“We selected TCM due to its outstanding facilities and infrastructure offerings. Moreover, TCM provides an invaluable opportunity for independent validation of various technologies. A crucial aspect for end users.”
On your website, it is mentioned that The second generation InnoSepra Post Combustion Capture Technology can reduce the absolute parasitic power for CO2 capture to below 1.8 GJ/tonne. This implies that the technology currently being tested at TCM has the capability to lower the energy consumption for capturing CO2 to below 1.8 GJ/tonne of CO2. Additionally, you state that The technology has the potential to reduce power loss due to steam extraction by more than 70% compared to MEA.
Could you please confirm whether the test results obtained so far have validated this assertion? “We have made significant progress toward achieving this goal. Although not yet with our preferred mode of regeneration. Through air regeneration, we believe we can attain the parasitic power target of below 1.8 GJ/tonne of CO2 at temperatures below 110°C. While also meeting the expected CO2 capacities. Implementing our preferred mode of regeneration presented challenges. But we are on the verge of success, and we hope to demonstrate regeneration with our preferred operational mode before the project’s conclusion.”
“We need to do one more scale-up, from 10 to 25 times of this test, to be able to offer the technology for large-scale CO2 capture. For smaller plants such as lime and hydrogen, less than 500 tons a day, we can combine the results from the first and second-generation capture technologies along with other technologies to offer very cost-effective capture solutions within two years. Additionally, we aim to expand the scale of our flue gas purification technology by 50 to 100 times, making it an integral component of a solvent-based capture solution. Industries we are engaging with include lime, cement, and hydrogen. In some cases, significant additional scaling may not be required to provide a cost-effective capture solution.”
TCM actively participates in a joint European project to develop CESAR1 as an non-proprietary solvent for carbon capture in the industry.
AURORA is a collaborative project funded by the European Union’s HORIZON EUROPE research and innovation program. Its primary objective is to optimize and qualify the open, non-proprietary CESAR1 solvent-based carbon capture technology for commercial deployment. The project commenced in January 2023, with a focus on demonstrating the technology at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 7–8 in at least three CO2-intensive industries: refining, cement, and materials recycling. These sectors have been chosen due to the absence of viable alternatives toward achieving climate neutrality.
In addition to TCM, the AURORA consortium includes eight members from various industry and research institutions across Europe. In early January, the project members convened in Cambridge, UK, to engage in stimulating brainstorming sessions focused on technical and innovative ideas.
Koteswara Rao Putta serves as the Technical Services Lead & Research Project Coordinator at TCM, representing the company in the consortium overseeing the project. He mentioned, “TCM actively participates in several work packages related to model development, validation, and technology assessments. We are also making planning and preparations for a solvent testing at TCM.”
«The commercial deployment of the CESAR1 solvent faces several challenges. Mainly of an operational nature. In this regard, TCM contributes valuable experiences from our test of CESAR1 conducted three years ago. The project aims to tackle these challenges. By demonstrating the technology’s viability in CO2-intensive industries.»
“The CESAR1 solvent was named after the FP7 CESAR project (2008-2011). In which the aqueous mixture of 2-Amino-2-Methyl-1-Propanol (AMP) and piperazine (PZ) was first studied. Because the CESAR1 solvent repeatedly outperformed the reference MEA solvent technology in pilot tests. Also CESAR1 has good energy performance, low degradation rates. And can achieve very high capture rates and is easier to use in flexible modes. Like most solvent technologies, CESAR1 has the advantage of being easily adaptable to almost any flue gas source.” (Soure: https://aurora-heu.eu/the-project/#cesar-solvent)
«The project will continue to focus on model development, validation, and technology assessments. Solvent testing at the TCM plant will be a critical milestone in assessing the technology’s readiness for commercial deployment in different industries.»
For several years, TCM has been collaborating with various research institutes around the world. The aim is to reduce the technical risk of carbon capture technology and close the technology gap.
We have an active and fruitful collaboration with SINTEF. That includes cooperation in the MEA campaigns, CESAR-1 campaign and AEROSOLV campaign and the upcoming AURORA project.
All campaigns conducted have provided us with significant learning and the results have been shared with the outside world. More than 20 publications have been produced.
Both the MEA and CESAR-1 campaigns have given TCM good references for new technology suppliers to compare themselves with.
SINTEF is an organisation with which we have several relationships, and we are pleased to share the video greeting from Head of Research, Mona Mølnvik.
“SINTEF is one of Europe’s largest research institutes with multidisciplinary expertise in technology, natural and social sciences. SINTEF is an independent foundation that has been creating innovation through development and research assignments for business and the public sector in Norway and abroad since 1950,” writes SINTEF.
You can get an idea of some of SINTEF’s research by listening to their podcast Smart explained.
TCM has learned that attention must be paid to all parts of the capture process. Something that is easy to forget is the effect of capture chemicals and CO2 itself on various materials of construction.
It is not easy to think of all the possible scenarios. For what could happen in a CO2 capture plant. At TCM it has been experienced that capture chemicals, byproducts and CO2 can degrade materials used in the plant. And if you don’t take this into account. It can be very expensive.
TCM’s extensive experience in capture testing with real capture solvents and flue gasses has enhanced understanding of corrosion and material selection. Use of corrosion coupons at several locations throughout the TCM amine plant allows many materials to be tested simultaneously across a range of process conditions.
Through more than 10 years of operation. TCM have seen in various test campaigns that the plant reacts differently. And therefore it can be cost saving to talk to us at TCM if you are planning a capture plant for CO2. – We are happy to share our experiences with handling CO2 in a capture plant, adds our managing director Ismail Shah.
During a test campaign here at TCM using monoethanolamine (MEA). A failure occurred in the reboiler of the amine plant which was caused by a serious damage to the plate heat exchanger (made of AISI 316L stainless steel). The result was a significant loss of material (approx. 200-250 µm reduction in thickness). As well as a leak between the solvent and the heat exchanger. A detailed investigation including laboratory studies on the effect of chemical additives is summarized in the 2022 publication.
TCM learned that during a test period. Critical things can occur at the plant that can have consequences both for the catching process itself and the surroundings. This shows that it is appropriate to test things on a slightly smaller scale before building a full-scale CCS plant as material selection has a large effect on the risk and cost profile.
From corrosion coupon testing during an MEA campaign from 2015, TCM experienced, among other things:
Further work on the corrosion topic with the non-proprietary CESAR1 solvent is planned to be published in 2024, with the latest updates available via this website and our social media.
TCM has meticulously developed a detailed procedure that encompasses the work processes involved in test campaigns. An own process is conducted at both the Amine Plant and the Site for Emerging Technologies.
Rouzbeh Jafari, an advisor at TCM holding a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, specializing in CO2 capture. He emphasizes that “by consistently following these procedures, we ensure the highest quality at all stages, including planning, preparation, execution, and the continuous reporting of results to our customers.”
For those considering a test campaign at the world’s largest and most versatile centre for carbon capture technology testing, gaining insight into the core principles of our working process is just a click away. From the initial contact with TCM to the actual campaign execution. You can listen to an audio file (from the TCM webinar on work processes).
“We believe this resource will prove invaluable to technology developers. Although it may not address every possible query related to a successful test campaign. Therefore, Rouzbeh emphasizes that both the TCM administration and our technical experts are readily available for meetings to answer questions and provide valuable advice and guidance.”
“TCM excels at simulating real-world conditions, offering a test environment that faithfully reflects reality. With over eleven years of operational experience, we have acquired unique knowledge, empowering our clients to successfully undertake full-scale projects. Our operations are grounded in an unwavering commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards, upheld with the utmost dedication. Operating under an emissions permit, we possess unparalleled expertise in emissions monitoring.”
Rouzbeh further emphasizes, “It’s important to note that TCM has earned its well-deserved reputation through a combination of public research, vendor-driven proprietary testing, and the recruitment of an exceptionally qualified workforce with specialized expertise. We invite you to contact us and get in touch.”
Rouzbeh Jafari concludes, “We are here to support you on your journey, and we look forward to working with you.”
Understanding and control of CO2 capture processes during steady operation, start-ups, shutdowns and load changes is critical to enable large scale deployment and operation of CCS.
Through more than 10 years of technology testing campaigns with 24/7 operation. TCM have developed significant learnings and experience in this area predominantly on the flexible amine plant but also on other TCM test sites.
TCM has generated over 20,000 hours of test data with the non-proprietary MEA and CESAR1 amine solvents. True investigating and documenting various phenomena in the capture process. A range of solvent systems, flue gas compositions, process parameters, operating strategies and analysis techniques have been tested to enhance understanding, improve performance and reduce risks and costs associated with CO2 capture. 6 different publications have been published. – We are proud of the experience we have gained and see that our test results are now being used by more and more full-scale actors. And we are more than happy to share our expertise, concludes Ismail Shah, managing director.
The value of having flexible CCS facilities that can handle load changes from power plants becomes greater with a higher proportion of renewables (e.g. solar energy and wind) in the energy supply. Start-up and shutdown cycles of power plants with CCS are becoming increasingly frequent. Which could potentially increase fugitive emissions. While the start-up and shutdown of power plants has been characterized. The effect of start-up and shutdown on CCS plants is still unclear. That is why TCM, together with various partners, has looked at this, among other things.
A series of start-up and shutdown tests were carried out in March, June and November 2020 at the technology centre Mongstad (TCM). In these tests, CESAR-1 was used to capture CO2 from flue gas (~4 mol% CO2) coming out of the natural gas-fired CCGT (combined cycle gas turbine) combined with flue gas from heat and power plant (CHP). These tests provide valuable insight into how key process parameters and operating strategies can help minimize disturbances (e.g. time and energy requirements) and CO2 emissions during startup and shutdown of CO2 capture plants.
Performance improvement can be achieved by:
Source: Evaluating performance during start-up and shut down of the TCM CO2 capture facility (2022)
The quality of the CO2 product stream produced by the capture process, including the levels and types of impurities present. This is an increasingly important topic due to the impact on CO2 transport and storage. This has been reflected in CO2 specifications set by projects such as Northern Lights. In 2018, TCM published a full characterisiation of the CO2 product stream with analysis by Airborne Labs supported by TCM online instrumentation. This also included testing on the effects of solvent degradation and certain process parameters on the quality of the CO2 product stream.
Source: CO2 product quality: assessment of the range and level of impurities in the CO2 product stream from MEA testing at the Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) (2018.
Below is an overview of the reports published by TCM and its various partners.
The owners of Technology Centre Mongstad DA (TCM), the Norwegian State through Gassnova, Equinor, Shell and TotalEnergies, have entered into an agreement for ownership and operation of the centre for the period 2024 – 2025.
Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) is the world’s largest and most flexible test centre for CO2 capture technology verification and leading centre of expertise in the field. Since its inception in 2012, TCM has conducted 23 testing campaigns of different capture technologies at its facilities and has played a key role in the development and commercialization of technologies to enable carbon capture and storage worldwide. The capture technology that will be used in the Norwegian Longship project was tested at TCM.
– Longship would not have been possible without the technology development that took place at the Technology Centre. We are proud of TCM’s important contribution to developing CCS as a key climate technology over the last eleven years, which is now set to continue with increased industry involvement. The centre is attracting a lot of international attention. Major companies are coming to Norway to test their technology, which is important for the spread of CCS technology around the world,” says Terje Aasland, Minister of Petroleum and Energy.
Under the agreement, the shareholding of each of the industrial owners will increase from 8.7 per cent to 22.0 per cent, while the state’s shareholding will be reduced from 73.9 per cent to 34.0 per cent. The owners have also agreed on a plan to develop TCM’s future business model.
“We are very pleased that our owners have created a framework that allows us to continue our important work. To contribute to the development of technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the industry,” says Managing Director Muhammad Ismail Shah. We are ready to build on our successful technology centre here at Mongstad.
Chairman of the Board Svein Ingar Semb, who represents Gassnova, is very pleased with the agreement: “It was natural for the state to reduce its involvement in TCM as the conditions for commercial operation are within reach. The industry is showing increasing interest in developing TCM further, and we will now start to develop TCM after 2026.”
Equinor has been a co-owner of TCM from the start and is also responsible for operating the test facilities. Board member Bjørn Sundland, project manager for low-carbon solutions at Equinor, says that the ownership is of strategic importance for competence development and for Equinor’s low-carbon commitment: “The collaboration with TCM also offers opportunities for technology development that are valuable for our CO2 transport and storage projects. As an operator, Equinor has also gained unique experience and expertise in operating such a CO2 capture facility.
Like Equinor, Shell has been a co-owner of TCM since the initial agreement was signed in 2009. “Over the years, many of our employees have worked at Technology Centre Mongstad and have acquired cutting-edge skills in carbon capture. We are actively using this expertise in projects that complements our target to become a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050,” says Board member Nina Thowsen, Asset Manager at Norske Shell. “Momentum for carbon capture utilisation and storage continues to grow stronger, which provides TCM with the opportunity to further strengthen its position and commercial value proposition.”
TotalEnergies has been co-owner of TCM since 2017. Board member Anne Brisset, who heads TotalEnergies’ research centre in Stavanger, says that TCM has been a catalyst for the development of CO2 capture plants since its inception. “Such a structure, combining large-scale process with research and development, has been a prerequisite for creating commercial companies that will help industry achieve its decarbonisation goals. Our goal is for TCM to continue to be a neutral test bed for suppliers to mature their technologies with a new business model,” says Anne Brisset.
Muhammad Ismail Shah, Managing Director, TCM
Tel. +47 974 95 393
Svein Ingar Semb, Gassnova, Chairman of the Company Meeting (Board) in TCM
Tel. +47 411 62 780
Bjørn Sundland, Equinor, Member of the Company Meeting (Board) in TCM
Tel. +47 905 22 454
Nina Thowsen, Norske Shell, Member of the Company Meeting (Board) in TCM
Tel. +47 977 04 703
Anne Brisset, TotalEnergies, Member of the Company Meeting (Board) in TCM
Tel. +47 905 86 197
