Bonn wants to become climate-neutral by 2035. This poses a challenge for the waste incineration plant of Bonn's municipal utilities: unfortunately, the emission of climate-damaging carbon dioxide (CO2) cannot be completely avoided when incinerating waste, no matter how efficient a plant is.

One solution is CO2 capture. Using new technologies, CO2 can be captured before it enters the atmosphere, stored or reused. The process for CO₂ capture and storage, known internationally as Carbon Capture & Storage (CCS), should soon be able to be used in industry.

The challenge: various methods of CO2 capture are already in use. However, these are still very energy-intensive or use complex chemicals that have to be regularly replaced. There is also often a lack of operating experience in industrial, large-scale plants, which place different demands on CO2 capture technologies depending on the type.

The latest research comes into play

This is precisely where the Bonn waste incineration plant comes into play. In its pioneering role, it is involved in several research projects. The "CARMEN" project, led by TU Darmstadt and the House of Energy, is testing a special method of CO2 capture under real conditions: In the so-called carbonate looping process (CaL), CO2 is bound to naturally occurring limestone and captured after it has been burned.

In the first phase of the project, the researchers are now having a mobile plant built that will be used in the Bonn waste recycling plant as well as in four other industrial plants. For the first time in Germany, the plant will be tested 24 hours a day under various real process conditions. The plant is expected to be in operation in Bonn by the end of 2026. The traveling plant could capture more than 90 percent of the carbon dioxide produced during the combustion of fossil fuels.

Further information:  CARMEN Carbonate Looping Project (opens in a new tab)