Carbon America's FrostCC™ Technology Demonstrates Ultraclean Carbon Capture

Carbon America has made a significant breakthrough with its cryogenic carbon capture technology, FrostCC™, which has successfully completed 1,000 hours of testing at the National Carbon Capture Center (NCCC) in Wilsonville, Alabama. This milestone marks a major step forward in the fight against climate change by effectively removing carbon dioxide (CO2) and co-pollutants from flue gas emissions.

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What is FrostCC™?

FrostCC™ is an innovative cryogenic point-source carbon capture system that removes CO2 from flue gas before it can be released into the atmosphere. The process involves cooling the flue gas below the sublimation temperature of CO2, causing it to "frost" into dry ice, which then separates from the gas mixture. This solid CO2 is periodically melted and collected as a liquid, ready for compression and transportation to storage sites. Notably, FrostCC™ operates without the use of water or chemicals and is powered solely by electricity.

Successful Testing at NCCC

During its testing phase at the NCCC, FrostCC™ demonstrated its ability to capture not only carbon dioxide but also other co-pollutants from flue gas. This achievement has further validated the process and models for the system's design. The next step for FrostCC™ is to scale up and demonstrate its full-scale commercial product.

Brent Lewis, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Carbon America, expressed his excitement about the technology's progress: “The prospects of this breakthrough technology inspired Carbon America’s founding, and we’re excited to see it realized. It has been inspiring to watch it go from a concept to an engineering-scale pilot that has achieved material results.”

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Operational Boundaries and Technology Readiness

Systematic tests were conducted to explore the operational boundaries of FrostCC™, aiming to understand and characterize the system's performance in realistic conditions. These tests have achieved a technology readiness level (TRL) of 6, indicating a high degree of maturity.

Miles Abarr, Chief Technology Officer of Carbon America, highlighted the significance of these tests: “Experimental data from the testing at NCCC not just proved FrostCC’s™ viability as an effective carbon capture technology, but also validated the physics-based models that enable design of the commercial product. Looking to the future, we have confidence in our path to a commercial product.”

Unique Advantages of FrostCC™

One of the key differentiators of FrostCC™ is its ability to remove co-pollutants without requiring separate treatment processes, thereby eliminating concerns about other environmental emissions. Additionally, the system is designed for plug-and-play retrofit ability and benefits from economies of scale driven by mass manufacturing and existing supply chains.

Ashleigh Ross, Head of Commercial Development and Policy at Carbon America, reflected on these advantages: “Key differentiators for our innovative technology include its proven ability to remove co-pollutants without separate treatment, and no concerns about other environmental emissions. Coupled with plug-and-play retrofit ability and economies of scale driven by mass manufacturing and existing supply chains, FrostCC™ presents an unparalleled opportunity to do maximum clean up with one simple solution.”

Future Plans for FrostCC™

Following the successful pilot at NCCC, Carbon America plans to deploy the first iteration of the standard commercial FrostCC™ module. This module is designed for broad commercial application across various emission-intensive industries such as power plants, cement and steel production, pulp and paper manufacturing, and other industrial facilities.

Commitment to Sustainability

Carbon America's commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship is reflected in the development of FrostCC™. The technology not only captures CO2 efficiently but also ensures that the process is environmentally friendly by avoiding the use of harmful chemicals and minimizing water consumption. This holistic approach positions Carbon America as a leader in the carbon capture industry, driving forward innovations that can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, technologies like FrostCC™ offer a promising solution. By capturing and storing CO2 emissions at their source, Carbon America is helping to pave the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future. The successful testing and future deployment of FrostCC™ represent a critical step in the journey toward reducing industrial carbon footprints and achieving global climate goals.