Negative CO2 Emissions in Cement and Waste-to-Energy Plants: Integration of Calcium-Looping, CO2 Purification and Mineralization Processes within the Herccules Project

The Horizon Europe HERCCULES project is an innovation action aimed at assessing the whole CCUS chain in southern Europe, focusing on the cement and energy-from-waste sectors. A significant effort to achieve this ambitious goal is dedicated to demonstrating CO2 capture and utilization technologies. Three capture technologies will be tested in the cement industry: an amine-based solvent absorption system to assess the performance of a new generation solvent using several configurations and including innovative components; an oxyfuel calciner coupled with a CPU to evaluate the possibility of achieving a capture rate of around 80% without modifying the key steps of the clinker production process; and the hybrid configuration to achieve an overall capture rate of 98%. Meanwhile, a CaL system coupled with a cryogenic CPU will be demonstrated in the EfW plant. Three CO2 utilization technologies will be tested: an autoclave system for the production of autoclaved hydraulic binders, a skid for the mineralization of fine demolished concrete, and a zeolite-based mineralization plant to produce CO2-trapped natural and synthetic zeolite to be used as SCMs. Currently, all the capture and utilization technologies are in the design and procurement stage, and next year, the experimental campaign will begin. Finally, CO2 storage will be tested, and the development of the whole CCUS chain will be optimized for the northern Italy and Greece clusters. Exploitation material, business plans, and guidelines for all the technologies demonstrated, as well as a life cycle assessment and cost-benefit analysis of the whole CCUS, will be delivered at the end of the project.