SK E&S, Ce-tek demonstrate carbon dioxide absorbent

Ce-tek, a research company in carbon capture technology supported by South Korea's SK E&S, has conducted a demonstration experiment that dramatically improves the ability to separate and capture CO2 from fossil fuel emissions.

SK E&S and Ce-tek on Wednesday said they successfully completed trial operation of the CO2 absorbent CT-1 in the 0.7 megawatt-class carbon capture pilot process recently conducted at the University of Kentucky of the US.

A CO2 absorbent is a key material used to separate carbon dioxide from gases emitted during fossil fuel combustion.

In 2021, SK E&S signed an agreement with Ce-tek to accelerate CO2 capture technology and has provided support through R&D infrastructure and research funds.

The demonstration showed that CT-1 dramatically improves CO2 absorptive ability as well as lowering the heat energy required to separate carbon dioxide from the absorbent after absorption to 60% of the previous level.

The company said this is economical because it reduces the size of plumbing and heat exchangers required for process construction.

Because it effectively captures CO2 generated in the process of making hydrogen using liquefied natural gas (LNG), CT-1 is expected to be extensively used for the production of low-carbon LNG and blue hydrogen.

SK E&S plans to produce low-carbon LNG and blue hydrogen by applying carbon capture and storage technology to the Barossa gas field in Australia, a development project that began in 2012.

Ce-tek will also expand the range of CT-1's applications and promote the absorbent's commercial use through additional demonstrations.

Write to Kyung-Min Kang at kkm1026@hankyung.com