Customer story
CarbonOrO: 'We expect to capture CO₂ at 40% lower costs'
Gpi supplies 6 columns for sustainable test project at AVR
With innovative technologies, CarbonOrO helps reduce the CO₂ footprint in the industry. Founded in 2013, the company specializes in CO₂ capture. Using a unique liquid solvent, the company can extract CO₂ from flue gases cost-effectively. The amines used in this process operate at a lower temperature, requiring less energy. To test this technology, Gpi received a request for six stainless steel columns for a test installation at waste processing company AVR.
Pieter Verberne, CTO of CarbonOrO, explains how the request originated: ‘I knew AVR before founding CarbonOrO. The company is a frontrunner in CO₂ capture in Northwest Europe and is always looking for innovative ideas. AVR processes various types of waste and has its own CO₂ capture installation. They supply this CO₂ to horticulture to enhance plant growth. Our technology to capture CO₂ 40% cheaper was of interest to AVR. After a test with a small model, we decided together to test this technology with a test installation at their location in Duiven.’
Choosing Gpi
Six stainless steel columns are part of the test installation. Pieter discusses the first phase: ‘When we completed our engineering, we looked for companies that could realize various parts for us. We requested quotes from seven companies and ultimately chose Gpi because they had the best offer. Additionally, we prefer to work with local companies, which was also a factor in our decision. This is also important for the Dutch economy. At Gpi, we immediately received a neat and decent offer.’
'At Gpi, we immediately received a neat and decent offer'
The assignment
CarbonOrO works with a modular concept, meaning the entire installation is built on container frames so it can be disassembled and reassembled. ‘This way, you can build serially and transport installations in container format by road,’ explains the CTO. This was crucial during the engineering phase. The columns had to be constructed in sections and internally equipped with various additions for different processes. Filipe Lopes, Chemical Process Engineer at CarbonOrO, is enthusiastic about the engineering phase: ‘The communication was very smooth. We provided the specifications, and Gpi drew them up. We are a small start-up, and the project engineer at Gpi took that into account. There was room for redesigns, and everything was timely and well-adjusted. Gpi’s engineering also performed additional strength calculations for us.’
Production & transport
The columns were produced in Lopik. ‘The production phase was well-coordinated, and we had very pleasant contact with Gpi. We were kept well-informed,’ says Filipe. After production, the columns were transported by road to AVR in Duiven. Pieter adds: ‘Our schedule was delayed, so it was more convenient for the columns to be delivered later. Gpi could temporarily store the columns, which was very helpful. Gpi handled the transport neatly, and we placed the tanks ourselves.’
'There are enthusiastic young people working at Gpi, and I found the production facilities modern and impressive'
The collaboration and the result
Pieter looks back positively on the collaboration with Gpi: ‘The collaboration went well. There are enthusiastic young people working there, and I found the production facilities modern and impressive. I would certainly work with Gpi again.’
CarbonOrO is finalizing the test installation before it can be put into operation. Pieter explains: ‘We expect to capture CO₂ 40% cheaper with our technology, so we are very curious about the test results. From July, we will test at AVR for three or four months. After that, the installation will go to a brick factory in Belgium. They want to make sustainable bricks from waste products. Our installation will capture CO₂ from the production process and bring it into the drying chambers, where CO₂ will be permanently stored in the bricks.’
