In Aprill of 2023, the DMX™ process demonstration pilot started operating and it has continued to operate under stable conditions. The purpose of this technology is to capture any carbon dioxide that is present within the blast furnace gases which are emitted during steel production. This process has been focused on the ArcelorMittal’s Dunkirk site, where the technology is based.

So far, in the reviews that have been conducted, it is clear that the technology has multiple benefits, such as the amount of energy needed for it to operate is significantly reduced. Plus, the solvent which is used on the process has displayed excellent stability and makes the process a solution which is both effective and innovative, whilst also being extremely flexible.

The process was created through a collaboration between eleven partners who all originated from research facilities and industries through six European countries. These companies include, TotalEnergies, Air Products, Brevik Engineering, Axens, ArcelorMittal, John Cockerill, DTU, Gassco, ETHZ and Uetikon. The process then went on to become further developed and then patented by IFPEN. Altogether, the companies involved came together and created the “3D” project, DMX™ Demonstration in Dunkirk. This excellent technology, created by forward-thinking companies, is marketed by Axens and operates through the use of an amine demixing solvent. It uses this solvent to capture CO2 that is contained in the flue gases which are produced by heavy industries.

The reason why the companies decided to run this pilot test, was to demonstrate the operability of the process, as well as to confirm the good energy performances, to highlight the purity of the CO2 captured and finally to ensure that the solvent remains stable throughout the process. The data that was collected, aligned with the predictions and expectations that were set out by the company around the technology. The data showed that although the technology is still in its early days, it is already displaying efficiency, especially when it comes to the energy performance of the technology.

Since collecting this data, a series of comprehensive tests have been carried out, as the unit is operating continuously. These tests that were performed brought back data which told the team that the plant is capturing carbon dioxide at rates above 90% and all the CO2 that is captured, is at a high level of purity. Furthermore, the tests highlighted that throughout the operating period, the energy consumption remained low and the team did not observe any solvent degradation, portraying that the solvent was unaffected by the high concentration of contaminants that are present in the gas being treated.

On top of the excellent results displayed in the tests, the marketing of this French technology, aligns with the CCUS strategy that has already been launched by the French government. This means that the project will be able to go towards the efforts going into the country’s national industrial decarbonsation objectives.

3D and DinamX project manager, Vania Santos-Moreau, commented, “After 15 years of development of this innovative technology at IFPEN from proof of concept through to the laboratory, we’re proud to have demonstrated the performance of the DMX™ process for an industrial gas flow. It’s all thanks to intensive teamwork, conducted with our partners since the launch of the 3D project back in May 2019. And it represents an important step towards the decarbonization of industry in France and around the world.” 

Manager of the CO2 capture team at Axens, Clément Salais, added, “The step we’ve taken with this demonstrator is essential to enable Axens to commit to performance guarantees, and to support our customers in their future decarbonization projects.”