«For TCM, 2023 has been an exceptionally busy and rewarding year. It marks a historic milestone since the facility’s inception in 2012. As we have conducted an unprecedented number of test campaigns and hosted a record number of guests eager to learn from our CO2 capture experiences.
Muhammad Ismail Shah (43) has served as the Managing Director of Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) for nearly two years. He joined the company in 2016, and before becoming the Managing Director, he held the position of Technology Manager at TCM.
TCM’s main task is to de-risk carbon capture technologies by testing, verification, and demonstration to accelerate deployment of cost-effective and industrial-scale CO2 capture. This year, Shell Catalysts & Technologies were the first to use the amine plant. And they successfully tested their proprietary CANSOLV CO2 capture technology until the summer. After that, ION Clean Energy arrived to prepare for the commercialization of the transformation-based ICE-31 solvent. For Shell, this was their third test campaign at TCM, while ION came here for the second time.
«This underscores TCM’s status as the preferred platform for companies committed to CCS for many years. Seeking to evaluate the effectiveness of their innovative technology variations. It also illustrates the continuous enhancement of mature amine technologies. And the ongoing necessity for a testing facility with TCM’s unique capabilities.»
In addition to TCM’s intensive testing programs at the amine plant. The Site for Emerging Technologies witnessed significant activity throughout 2023. During the spring months, two concurrent test campaigns, MOF4AIR and ACCSESS, were started as part of the EU’s green shift initiatives. MOF4AIR utilizes a novel class of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) materials for CO2 capture. While the ACCSESS campaign aimed to test conventional, and process intensified post-combustion capture technology with minimal environmental impact from industrial sources. In the fall, preparations were underway for the testing of proprietary technology by the American company InnoSepra.
«The planning and execution of five test campaigns have presented substantial challenges for all TCM employees,» notes Shah. «I am deeply impressed by the dedication to overcoming technical obstacles. And operating the facilities in a manner that ensures our customers depart from Mongstad. With results that hold immense value for the continued advancement and commercialization of their respective technologies.»
«Furthermore, I want to highlight that, alongside our rigorous testing program. We have offered advisory services to project owners and technology developers this year. Drawing from the knowledge and insights acquired during previous years’ open test campaigns at TCM. Our objective is to accelerate and enable the successful deployment of CCS technology. Our role is to empower customers to pose pertinent questions to potential suppliers. And select the technology that aligns best with their requirements. »
The frequency of meetings with stakeholders from both domestic and international domains is recorded in a guestbook containing nearly 1,000 names. «Despite substantial limitations on physical visits during the pandemic, hardly a day has gone by this year without welcoming invited guests. This reaffirms TCM’s prominent standing as a competence centre for carbon capture.»
TCM’s Managing Director and the leadership team have personally delivered presentations at numerous international seminars and conferences over the course of the year. Through these engagements, meaningful connections have been forged. Which may hold substantial value in the future.
«Our objective is twofold: to inform technology suppliers about TCM’s capabilities. And to foster knowledge sharing with developers and researchers globally. Notably, our collaboration with the Department of Energy (DoE) in the USA has been reinforced, alongside the establishment of robust connections within key networks in the EU. The extensive trust and respect that TCM commands within the international CCS community will play a pivotal role in our continued growth,» concludes Muhammad Ismail Shah.
Through many years of experience with CO2 capture technology, TCM has built up a broad knowledge of what is needed to reduce costs linked to the capture process itself.
A close collaboration with American companies (such as Aspen Technology) through support from the US Department of Energy (DOE) has been important in this work with cost reduction. TCM’s long operational experience and our partners’ experience in interpreting technical results have given us a unique basis for comparison.
Suppliers and technology developers are working on innovative and advanced concepts for CO2 capture. Industrial customers, project developers targeting the CO2 capture projects in their facilities require reliable. And up-to-date cost information using non-proprietary solvents to develop investment strategies, portfolios and evaluate commercial CO2 capture projects. These answers are important for the deployment of CCS in the world.
TCM, together with Aspen Technology’s expert team, have worked to carry out a reliable and accurate costing exercise. By considering all essential elements of the CO2 capture process as reported in 2022 publication below. The key finding from this cost basis study is that the absorber alone accounts for 45% of the total equipment material costs. Cost reduction is therefore possible. Annual total operating costs are estimated to be USD 47 million. Assuming a 25-year lifetime of the plant, the cost of CO2 capture is calculated at USD 47/ton.
In 2017/18, the Technology Center Mongstad (TCM DA) ran a test campaign to capture CO2 using monoethanolamine (MEA) where the facility captured 80 to 200 tons of CO2 per day. The main aim of the experiment was to provide experimental evidence for how to reduce operating and capital costs in CO2 capture. The cost assessment is presented in relation to two previous MEA campaigns at TCM. A reduction in avoided CO2 costs of up to 18% was documented during testing, while further improvements were made in theoretical studies.
In the experiment, the following measures were taken
The results from this testing have helped form the basis for comparisons made by technology suppliers who have brought their solvent to TCM. If the suppliers are to assert themselves in a rapidly developing market, it is wise to check against what is out in the open in this type of information. TCM is more than happy to share more details from this work.
“Satisfied customers are crucial for TCM. The most important proof that we provide a functional and reliable facility is that companies return to Mongstad to test their capture technologies. Safe operation is our ‘modus operandi’,” says Odd Arne Hvidsten.
He has been Operations Engineer at TCM since 2010 and is the most experienced member of the organization when it comes to planning and executing operations at the three test facilities. “In my role, I am responsible for the integrity of the facility, which means that both test campaigns and regular modifications are carried out within safe and appropriate parameters for the tasks at hand. This is the ‘modus operandi’ for all 30 people in our operations organization,” Hvidsten emphasizes.
Equinor is responsible for operating TCM’s test facilities. After graduating from technical college, Odd Arne Hvidsten started as an apprentice at the refinery in 1992 and progressed over the years to become an operations engineer. By 2010, construction of the TCM plant was well underway. Attracted by the opportunity for new challenges, he applied for a similar position at the new neighbor in Mongstad.
“I was hired as the third member of the operations department, after the operations manager and his deputy. At that time, the focus was on building an organization that would oversee the operation of a full-scale CO2 capture plant. As you know, that didn’t happen, but I still found motivation in continuing to work on the operation of two different pilot plants, namely CAP (chilled ammonia) and the amine plant. What drove me was to contribute to solving technically complex problems for which there were no clear answers. Running carbon capture plants at near full scale was pioneering work in the truest sense of the word.
Coming from a well-established culture of operations and safety at the refinery, it was almost inevitable that discussions with the technical experts at TCM would at times be intense. In addition, for a period after opening in 2012, TCM struggled to fully utilize its testing capacity, which did nothing to improve the working environment. “At the time, I don’t think many people could have imagined that TCM would still be operating in 2023, but we managed to do it,” says Hvidsten.
As time went on, the market for running own test campaigns at the amine plant opened, while the owner companies and collaborators invested in open campaigns to advance the development of CO2 capture technology. The knowledge and experience gained from running these campaigns led to fewer teething problems, smoother execution, and much improved collaboration across the TCM.
“Overall, the number of undesirable incidents related to the operation of the plant has been very low, thanks to a strong safety culture and a highly committed workforce. The facility is manned 24/7, with a total of 18 operators working shifts throughout the year, in addition to laboratory technicians, maintenance personnel and departmental management. Our primary responsibility is to ensure that customers receive their allocated supplies of electricity, gas, air, and steam, and to be ‘hands on’ when things don’t go as planned. It’s rarely boring in Operations,” he says with a smile.
Odd Arne Hvidsten emphasizes that the decision to expand TCM’s offering with the ‘Site for Emerging Technologies’, also known as the 3rd Site, has been crucial to the positive development of the Technology Centre.
“The fact that, in recent years, we have also become a testing ground for new technologies that are less mature than the well-established amine technology makes TCM relevant in a whole new market. This expansion has also contributed to smoother operations, which was important from the owners’ perspective.
The test campaigns at the 3rd site have a different rhythm and dynamics compared to those at the amine plant.
“For us in operations, this has been an adjustment, but we enjoy the challenges. We find that our expertise from operating the amine plant also comes in handy when a customer is stuck with questions about, for example, the right temperature or pressure in their processes. The feedback we receive on the support we provide shows that the lasting impression for customers is the high level of professionalism in the operation of the TCM. In addition, the advice that our technical expertise can provide, for example on the design of equipment that needs to be tested, is valuable. This is crucial for tomorrows’ technology providers as they consider where in the world, they can have their technologies tested and verified to ensure that they work in real-world environments, not just in the laboratory”.
As an operations engineer, Odd Arne Hvidsten’s office is close to the large control room in TCM’s administration building. This gives him a good overview of how the plant is running, and he can be called in if anything unexpected happens. He makes daily rounds of the site to check on the status. And if the opportunity arises, he is always ready to have a chat with customers who are working on their projects in Mongstad.
“For someone who likes to meet people from all over the world, TCM is a paradise. Not only do we have a multinational workforce, but you also meet many interesting people who are here for a while to test their ideas and technologies. I have made friends among them who have lived near me, and later visited them in their home countries during holidays with my family. This ‘bonus’ is something I probably wouldn’t have had if I hadn’t worked here,” says the TCM veteran.
Name: Odd Arne Hvidsten
Age: 56
Education: Electro engineer
Marital status: Married, four children
Employment at TCM: Operations engineer since 2010, seconded from Equinor
Fred Rugenyi stands as a trailblazing figure at TCM, having achieved the distinction of being its inaugural master’s student in the specialized field of method development within LC-MS.
Fred Rugenyi remarkable journey not only includes the successful defence of his thesis but also the attainment of an exceptional A grade. A testament to his unwavering commitment and outstanding contributions to the field Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). With these achievements under his belt, Fred Rugenyi now eagerly embarks on the next chapter of his career. Seizing the myriad of opportunities that await him as he continues to make valuable contributions to TCM.
At TCM, the development and dissemination of knowledge related to carbon capture are core elements of its operations. Over the years, the company has authored more than 60 scientific articles. Based on findings and insights derived from open test campaigns conducted at its facilities. Additionally, TCM regularly delivers presentations at international CCS conferences.
TCM also serves as a hub for knowledge enrichment. Attracting students and researchers to Mongstad who engage in tackling specific issues that lay the groundwork for more efficient carbon capture methods.
Name: Fred Rugenyi
Age: 34
Nationality: Kenyan
Place of study: University of Bergen (UiB)
Completed exams: Erasmus Mundus Master in Quality in Analytical Laboratories
Subject for study: Quality in Analytical Laboratories.
Fred Rugenyi, a 34-year-old native of Kenya. Recently achieved a significant milestone this autumn by earning his EU-funded Erasmus Mundus Master’s degree in Quality in Analytical Laboratories from the University of Bergen (UiB). Fred’s academic journey was enriched by his participation in a collaborative program between TCM and UiB.
His thesis represents the culmination of his extensive studies and hands-on experience in the realms of chemistry, project management, and quality assurance. Furthermore, it stands as a direct contribution to advancing our understanding of amine-based post-combustion carbon capture. A pivotal field in addressing environmental concerns. Fred expresses his satisfaction in being able to contribute directly to a project with tangible applications in his crucial domain, emphasizing the practical impact of his work.
Fred’s introduction to TCM came through Professor Bjørn Grung, the coordinator of the Erasmus Mundus Quality in Analytical Laboratories programme and deputy head of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Bergen.
“I didn’t have a specific defining moment. My interest in the field grew out organically from a curiosity about the versatile applications of chemistry across various domains. I was particularly drawn to measurement chemistry and quality management.”
“My initial impression of TCM was that it represented a highly professional organisation comprised of very intelligent individuals.”
“My primary objective was to conduct a comprehensive qualitative and quantitative analysis of non-volatile solvent degradation components using advanced liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. This endeavour entailed the creation, refinement, validation, and practical application of innovative analytical methods. In the context of CO2 capture, the outcome of this research contributes to an enhanced understanding of the health and environmental implications associated with the solvents employed in CO2 capture systems. Ultimately, this knowledge facilitates better solvent management, leading to reduced consumption, improved operational efficiency of CO2 plants, and a subsequent reduction in the overall cost of CO2 capture.”
“My research journey at TCM has been enriched by the invaluable technical guidance extended by my supervisor, Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan and team members within the Technology department led by Mathew Campbell. TCM has demonstrated its commitment by making essential resources available, encompassing administrative support, access to laboratory equipment, and the provision of necessary chemicals. Moreover, TCM prioritizes the safety and well-being of its researchers, ensuring that work procedures align with health and safety standards. Additionally, I would like to underscore the tremendous moral support I’ve received from the dedicated Mongstad team. Their genuine interest in my work and their willingness to engage with my personal experiences have been truly uplifting.”
“In addressing this question, I would like to refer to my acknowledgment in my thesis: “Dr. Muhammad Zeeshan, your patience, trust and support throughout the project meant a lot to me. Your expertise, insightful feedback and constructive suggestions have helped me refine my ideas and problem-solving approach. I am profoundly grateful for your guidance and constant encouragement. Blair McMaster, your help in understanding the carbon capture process and the Mongstad facility was invaluable.”
The foresight and proactivity of Muhammad Ismail Shah, when serving as the Technology manager, to acquire the state-of-the-art LC-MS as part of the TCM package points to the strategic role of organisational positioning. In addition, I firmly believe that numerous individuals, often working diligently behind the scenes and without immediate recognition, have played a role in fostering a productive work environment. This extends to the decision-makers who formulate and endorse the organization’s overarching goals. It also encompasses those individuals who take the time to guide you in the right direction when you might be feeling disoriented, as well as the entire collaborative community that has contributed to my journey here at TCM.”
“At TCM, I’ve had the privilege of interacting with exceptional talents encompassing a wide spectrum of disciplines, including brilliant mathematicians, chemical engineers, process engineers, mechanical engineers, and modelling experts, among others. This diverse and collaborative group of professionals operates seamlessly as a cohesive team. They offer holistic perspectives, tackle challenges with creative vigour, and craft innovative solutions that are instrumental in driving forward the development of cutting-edge CO2 capture technologies.”
“Yes, my time at TCM has significantly influenced my career aspirations. It has deepened my passion for comprehending the entire carbon capture value chain, with a particular focus on applying CO2 capture to ensure uninterrupted access to energy while upholding commitment to environmentally responsible practices. I am genuinely delighted that TCM has afforded me the opportunity to actively pursue these objectives.”
“TCM provides a unique platform for you to immense yourself in the world of cutting-edge innovations and emerging technologies of the future. Here, you’ll gain access to a diverse range of learning experiences, spanning from early-stage technologies to those in the market and practical applications. Beyond academic knowledge, TCM offers a hands-on education that bridges the gap between theoretical understanding and real-world problem-solving. You’ll have the chance to tackle multidimensional challenges in various fields, all within a multicultural environment that enriches your daily experience. TCM is the place where academic knowledge meets practical application in a truly transformative way.”
“Thank you very much for your time and insight. Good luck!”
“Our commitment lies in actively exploring opportunities for low-carbon power generation at our existing sites through the implementation of carbon capture and hydrogen solutions’’, says Xiaomian Baxter, SSE.
At present, SSE Thermal is making significant strides in the north-east of Scotland and the Humber area in England, where it is focusing on capturing substantial emissions of CO2. Baxter adds, “In this endeavor, we have enjoyed a fruitful collaboration with TCM.”
“We are currently advancing plans at Keadby in the Humber and Peterhead in northeast Scotland. Both of which would be large scale power stations capturing around 95 percent of emissions. These proposed plants would link into the shared CO2 and hydrogen transport and storage infrastructure being developed in the respective industrial clusters.”
“We are focused on a natural gas-fired power plant coupled with CCS. Which needs to be flexible, and achieve high CO2 capture efficiency with the lowest energy consumption possible. So most importantly, the plant needs to work as intended first time and be safe.”
“TCM has over 10 years of solvent testing and plant operation experience at the world’s largest CCS test facility. We saw the value of fast-tracking our CCS design and operational knowledge by learning from TCM’s experience and expertise.”
“We had a test campaign at TCM in 2020. We were looking at the dispatchable operation of CCS plant. Which was not investigated extensively in the past. The test campaign provided us with opportunities to learn about how a capture plant is operated. And how key parameters contribute to the plant’s performance.”
“I would like to highlight the following:
“SSE Thermal’s vision is to become the leading provider of flexible thermal energy in a net zero world.”
“SSE has a target to reduce its carbon intensity by 80 percent by 2030. At SSE Thermal, we are actively developing carbon capture and hydrogen projects which will allow us to continue to keep the lights on while supporting the UK’s net zero drive. And at Keadby, we own and operate one of the world’s most efficient gas-fired power stations and are exploring hydrogen blending into the plant. Additionally, our Keadby 3 Carbon Capture project is the UK’s only power CCS project with development consent order.”
“The current ambition of the UK Government is to have a net zero power system by 2035. To reach that milestone, we must accelerate the decarbonization of the power sector. Which means bringing forward low-carbon projects urgently. In doing so, we can increase the pace towards net zero while delivering a just transition for workers and communities in the UK’s industrial heartlands.”
Boulder, Colorado-based ION Clean Energy returns to the world’s largest and most advanced carbon capture test facility as it prepares for commercialization of transformational ICE-31 solvent with revolutionary stability.
ION Clean Energy and Technology Centre Mongstad (TCM) have come to terms on an agreement to bring ION’s groundbreaking ICE-31 solvent technology to TCM for further validation of the technology’s performance over parametric and steady-state testing that will demonstrate the ION solvent’s remarkable stability and prove that there is no significant solvent degradation as the technology is scaled up.
The initiative is part of ION’s commercial development program and will take the ICE-31 solvent’s Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from TRL 6 to TRL 7 with a successful campaign. Successfully testing ICE-31 at the scale of TCM will decrease the financial risk for ION and its customers because it will prove the technology’s performance at a larger scale than prior testing has allowed. Additionally, ION will gather valuable process data and increase its knowledge of how the technology performs in greater detail than previously possible.
“TCM is the world’s foremost testing ground for carbon capture technologies and we’re excited to return and further prove the transformative performance of ICE-31,” said ION Chief Technology Officer, Erik Meuleman, Ph.D. “The team at TCM is world class and the data we derive from this campaign will prove that our technology is as well. We’re excited to get back to Norway and continue our efforts to deploy ICE-31 commercially as we all work towards a shared goal of net-zero carbon emissions.”
As the world’s largest and most flexible carbon capture test center available to the public, TCM has the ability to demonstrate the performance of the most mature amine technologies, further de-risking and optimizing the performance that allows the TRL for a technology to increase. “We are very excited to see ION coming back to TCM with their ICE-31 solvent. At TCM, we are pleased to be able to contribute with our expertise and more than 10 years of experience with CO2 capture technology,” said TCM Technology Manager, Matthew Campbell.
Both the US Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management and The Norwegian Ministry for Petroleum and Energy make great contributions to mitigating climate change and are supportive of ION’s technology. The Norwegian Ministry for Petroleum and Energy is also the majority owner of TCM.
ION’s test campaign is planned to start in October and last for 4 months.
ION was founded in 2008 in Boulder, Colorado and is a worldwide leader in carbon dioxide capture technologies that reduce overall costs and make CO2 capture a more viable option for greenhouse gas mitigation. The company is commercializing proprietary liquid absorbent process technology that demonstrates transformational performance and is more effective and cost efficient than current commercial solutions to capture CO2 emissions from utility and industrial point sources. Most significantly, ION’s technology can capture more than 95% of CO2 emissions with extremely low emissions, unprecedented solvent stability and low energy requirements.
Contact person: Ryan Skubic, VP, Marketing & Communications, Ryan.Skubic*ioncleanenergy.com
Technology Centre Mongstad DA (TCM) main objective is to test, verify and demonstrate different technologies related to cost-efficient and industrial scale CO2 capture. Moreover, to provide advisory services to carbon capture projects. The goal is to facilitate the advancement of carbon capture technology for mass deployment across industries.
TCM is located at one of Norway’s most complex industrial facilities, Mongstad in Vestland county. TCM is owned by the Norwegian State, through Gassnova (73.9%), together with the industrial partners Equinor (8,7%), Shell (8,7%) and TotalEnergies (8,7%). Equinor is the operator of the facility.
«The recent conference in Pittsburgh served as a testament to the remarkable collaborative efforts underway in the United States. Government authorities, technology providers, and research institutions are diligently working together to mitigate CO2 emissions within the industry and remove CO2 from the atmosphere.
Every year, during August, the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), acting on behalf of the US Department of Energy (DoE), organizes the Carbon Management Research Project Review Meeting in Pittsburgh. This year, the conference drew a staggering of 1.200 participants from around the globe, including TCM’s managing Director Muhammad Ismail Shah and Technology Manager Matthew Campbell.
US DoE/NETL is dedicated to driving research and development efforts that contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, including the capture and storage of CO2. The DoE has been actively involved in funding several test campaigns at Mongstad. Among them, RTI International, which last years conducted a test of their technology for capturing CO2 from fossil fuel power plants and industry.
«RTI was one of the companies with whom we engaged in fruitful discussions during the conference. They expressed keen interest in returning to Mongstad to test an enhanced version of their technology,» Shah and Campbell says.
«Additionally, we had a productive meetings with Susteon, Unviersity of Kentucky and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, which have developed efficient CO2 capture technologies. They aspire to conduct large-scale technology tests beyond the capacity of their own facilities. These organizations and several othersare eager to tap into TCM’s expertise, especially regarding our experience in emissions mitigation and other unique capabilities within the realm of CO2 capture.»
Through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Biden administration embarked on the most extensive climate and energy effort ever in American history last year. A total of 369 billion dollars has been allocated to stimulate investments in renewable energy and zero-emission technology.
«The IRA has undeniably accelerated the development of new technologies and the implementation of mature technologies within the industry to achieve climate goals. Witnessing the tremendous enthusiasm in Pittsburgh, eminating from politicians, the industry leaders, and technologists alike, was truly inspiring,» states TCM’s representatives at the conference.
TCM has bolstered Ørsted’s own specialist knowledge in the amine-based carbon capture project, which is set to commence within approximately two years. In this interview, Chemistry Specialist Kristian Røhe Kongsted Krum describes the project.
“The Danish Energy Agency (DEA) has granted Ørsted a 20-year contract for our carbon capture and storage (CCS) initiative, the ‘Ørsted Kalundborg Hub’. This undertaking involves Ørsted implementing carbon capture technology at our wood chip-fired Asnæs Power Station in Kalundborg, located in western Zealand, as well as at the straw-fired boiler in our Avedøre Power Station situated in the Greater Copenhagen area.”
“TCM possesses the largest carbon capture pilot plant globally and holds substantial practical expertise in conducting extensive tests at large scale using various open and proprietary solvents. In light of this, Ørsted opted to partner with TCM to enhance our specialized understanding of the amine-based carbon capture process.”
“To ensure a successful and enduring CO2 capture endeavour, a profound grasp of the intricate technical aspects inherent in the capture process, coupled with effective strategies to address the challenges, is absolutely essential.”
“The collaboration with TCM has yielded valuable insights into particular aspects of the carbon capture process. These insights can be directly or indirectly applied to ongoing Ørsted carbon capture initiatives, including discussions with technology vendors.”
“This collaboration has yielded valuable knowledge-sharing and advisory services, drawing from TCM’s practical insights gained from operating the world’s largest carbon capture pilot plant.”
“The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted is actively involved in the development, construction, and operation of offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, renewable hydrogen and green fuels facilities, as well as bioenergy plants. The process of decarbonization at Ørsted commenced in 2012 with the commitment to transition all coal-fired power plants owned by Ørsted into bio-converted facilities. By the year 2025, Ørsted aims to achieve carbon neutrality.”
“Beginning in 2025 – and fully operational by 2026 – Ørsted intends to initiate carbon capture processes at the Avedøre and Asnæs power stations. Subsequently, the captured carbon will be transported to Norway, where it will be stored in a reservoir within the North Sea. In entirety, our goal is to annually capture and store 430,000 tonnes of CO2.”
“The substantial task of scaling up the global carbon capture (CCx) portfolio to align with the Paris Agreement stands as a formidable challenge. The urgent need of decarbonization within heavy-duty industries is paramount, requiring action not in a decade, but in the present moment. While numerous CCx projects have been announced worldwide in recent years, it is truly exciting to not only observe but actively contribute to the evolution of this burgeoning market.”
TCM’s work on operation of capture plants using different amines has received international recognition. The work over many years has meant that technology suppliers have grown, and costs and risks have been reduced.
Some of TCM’s testing has been with the non-proprietary MEA and CESAR1 solvents, which are studied extensively in research and academia and can be used as benchmarks for new or proprietary capture technologies. Testing these non-proprietary solvents for thousands of hours at the scale of the TCM amine plant, with real flue gasses, has unlocked many new learnings for the industry, shared via open publications and TCM’s Advisory Services.
In collaboration with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) (lenke inkl. LinkedIn), an independent US energy R&D body, TCM have tested and published a number of verified baseline conditions with MEA & CESAR1 with CHP and RFCC flue gas.
Since the Technology Centre was set up, it has been focused on creating a good basis for comparison for technology suppliers that come to TCM. Therefore, the amine plant has been tested with non-proprietary MEA and CESAR solvents. These tests have used different starting points and have tested how the plant itself would work by, for example, stress-testing through frequently starting and stopping the plant. The results are available to all, and TCM can share these reference studies.
“Thanks to the support for these projects, we can use these results to help to compare future technologies, which is something that makes TCM unique. We are collaborating with SINTEF and DNV in these efforts. We can quantify the technologies and provide them with good answers as to where they stand in the market,” adds Ismail Shah, CEO of TCM.
The CESAR 1 solvent, developed in the EU CESAR project, was utilised for the first time at TCM for the ALIGN CCUS (Accelerating Low Carbon Industrial Growth Through Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage) project test campaign in 2019. The CESAR 1 solvent is a blend of 27% wt 2-amino-2-methylpropan-1-ol (AMP) and 13% wt piperazine (PZ). This is considered a better solvent than monoethanolamine (MEA) in terms of thermal energy performance and stability (lower degradation) and has been proposed by the IEAGHG as their new benchmark solvent.
TCM DA carried out baseline testing of the CESAR 1 solvent in June 2020 using flue gas from the CHP source, controlled at 5% CO2 to simulate state-of-the-art gas turbine flue gas, and continued with additional testing that lasted into late 2020 using flue gas from the RFCC source at Mongstad that has higher CO2 concentrations. The main objectives of these campaigns were to produce knowledge and information that can be used to reduce costs as well as technical, environmental, and financial risks at the commercial-scale.
You can read more about this as well as other tests that have been conducted on our website.
Below is an overview of the reports published by TCM and its various partners.
On July 7, 1973, Karstein Mangersnes began his career as an apprentice electrician at the City Hall in Bergen. 50 years later, he concludes nearly 14 years at TCM and enters retirement.
At TCM, many of those with significant responsibilities during the project and construction phases have had their names put on street signs at the facility. Karstein was both then and later among the “foot soldiers” at TCM, those who ensured that the installations and equipment for CO2 capture were in place and functioning properly. During a staff meeting last year, there was a hint that a nameless street stub should be given a sign with Karstein’s name.
“I didn’t think much of it at the time until a few months later when a colleague asked me what I had planned for lunch. As I returned from the cafeteria, I noticed that there were unusually many people dressing up in yellow protective gear. My supervisor, Kjetil Hantveit, told me he wanted me to join him for a tour of the facility to get an update on the progress of ongoing projects. When we arrived at 3rd Site, most of TCM was already there. I felt a bit embarrassed when I realized they were there for me. But I greatly appreciated the recognition. Undoubtedly, a highlight that’s nice to reminisce about.”
“It was in November 2009, and the groundwork on the large site was well underway. I had been working offshore for several years and was interested in a job on land, preferably near my home in Manger. At that time, I was employed by Aibel, where I had worked for 43 years. Aibel had a contract for the engineering of significant parts of the TCM facility, which also included overseeing the construction phase. This suited me well, given my background in electrical work, and I was eager to be a part of it. It involved a lot of diverse tasks, but it was incredibly educational.”
” I was, of course, present and took part in the celebration. Jens Stoltenberg spoke about how important TCM was going to be in the effort to achieve the climate goals, and he was right, even though the “moon landing” didn’t happen. When I started in 2009, I didn’t have specific knowledge about carbon capture, but I gradually understood that testing technologies could be a crucial part of the solution to reduce emissions from the industry. It wasn’t obvious that I would continue into the operational phase, but I was happy when the opportunity came through the employment modifications department. Not only because the job was exciting but also because the working environment at TCM, both then and now, is incredibly good.”
Name: Karstein Mangersnes
Age: 68, turning 69 in October
Education: Vocational degree in electrical work
Marital status: Married, two children and three grandchildren
Affiliation to TCM: Worked in electrical installation from 2009 to 2012, worked on modification and upgrade of the facility from 2012 to 2023. Employed through Aibel from 2009 to 2016 and Omega from 2016 to 2023.
“The main task has been the planning and implementation of modifications and upgrades to the facility, as well as a central role in the execution of annual maintenance shutdowns. In “Mod,” we are a team of six working together on this, and we also try to assist with operations and maintenance when necessary. In the same way, Mod gets support from these departments when we need it.
Over the years, I have been primarily responsible for project follow-up in the field, closely collaborating with suppliers from all disciplines and professional groups. The cooperation has been excellent. Now, I am passing the baton to Roger Solheim, and it will go smoothly. In addition to his background in electrical engineering, he also has process experience that will be valuable.”
“Are there any specific projects or events from your work at TCM that you remember with particular joy?”
” Then I would like to highlight the establishment of the “Site for Emerging Technologies” (3rd Site), which has been incredibly exciting. I had the opportunity to be involved in the planning and supervision of the construction process at the site for new capture methods, which required a lot from the TCM organization and our suppliers. The offerings at this site have attracted several new customers, indicating that the effort and investment made by TCM have been worthwhile.”
“In 2016, a new filter (BD) was installed in the facility to reduce the number of particles in the flue gas. There have also been several upgrades carried out internally and externally in the absorber tower. These projects involved numerous challenging tasks in terms of planning and execution, including working at heights, demanding lifting operations, welding, and confined space entry.”
” I haven’t had direct responsibility for that dialogue, but there has been some communication, nonetheless. There has been a bit of a cultural collision, and neither Southern Europeans nor Americans find it easy to understand the strict HSE (Health, Safety, and Environment) regulations at TCM, as well as the Norwegian requirements for working hours and working environment. But overall, the collaboration has gone well. They just need a little explanation of how and why things are the way they are.”
“The short answer is that TCM maintains a high professional level in what we do and has delivered good results in the test campaigns. The quality of what we deliver is high, which is largely due to good collaboration across the organization.”
“I believe in carbon capture as a tool in the fight against climate change, and I have hope that TCM will continue to play an important role in the work of optimizing the design and operation of full-scale capture facilities, especially in reducing energy consumption. I also hope that the development of entirely new technologies will continue. The expertise at TCM is too valuable in the battle to meet climate goals to not be utilized – for many years to come. Therefore, I will follow with interest all the exciting things that lie ahead for TCM, and I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my great colleagues for their collaboration – for the insightful conversations and thoughtfulness when it was needed. I wish them good luck!”
“I have never dreaded going to work and I will definitely miss TCM, both the interesting professional challenges and the social life within the company. I must be honest about that. But there is a time for everything, and I don’t think it will be a problem to keep myself occupied as a retiree. I will try to stay fit with hikes, maybe some jogging and cycling. My wife Astrid and I live in a large house where there are always things that need fixing. We also have a fishing cabin in Stolmen, Austevoll, which hopefully we can visit more often. We both enjoy it there. The ocean is right outside, which is perfect for me as an avid hobby fisherman. Astrid plans to work for another two years and expects a cooked dinner every day. But even though I enjoy cooking, I can’t promise that. Our eldest daughter lives nearby in Manger, and the youngest one in Moss, so I’m looking forward to spending more time with their families. And if the neighborhood association or other organizations need a helping hand, I won’t hesitate to lend my assistance if they want me to volunteer. Life goes on with a new chapter. It will be different from what it has been, but I’m sure it will be good!”
