Carbon Capture and Utilization: Developing Tomorrow's Technology with LanzaTech

Summary

The transcript from a Green Lounge event discusses the innovative collaboration between LanzaTech and Primetals Technologies to decarbonize the steel industry through gas fermentation. Jennifer Holmgren, CEO of LanzaTech, and Alexander Fleischanderl, Head of Green Steel at Primetals Technologies, along with other industry experts, delve into the partnership's journey over the past decade. They highlight the successful development of a plant in Europe that converts carbon-rich waste gases from blast furnaces into renewable ethanol, a significant step towards sustainable steel production. The panelists explore the potential of biological fermentation in transforming CO2 emissions into valuable products, the challenges and future outlook of the steel industry, and the importance of embracing a circular economy. They emphasize the need for aggressive technological adaptation and the role of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) in achieving net-zero targets. The discussion also touches on the scalability of gas fermentation technology, the economic considerations, and the resilience of steel as a material despite advancements in other materials.

Takeaways

• 🤝 **Partnership Focus**: LanzaTech and Primetals Technologies have a decade-long collaboration aimed at decarbonizing the steel industry through gas fermentation solutions.
• 🌱 **Sustainable Innovation**: The joint project, Steelanol, utilizes biological fermentation to transform carbon-rich waste gases from steel production into renewable ethanol.
• 📜 **Agreement Expansion**: LanzaTech and Primetals have recently signed a second collaboration agreement to further their work in sustainable steel production.
• 🔬 **Technological Process**: The gas fermentation process involves microbes that convert CO2 and CO gases into ethanol, similar to beer fermentation, creating a sustainable product.
• ♻️ **Circular Economy**: LanzaTech's technology supports a circular carbon economy by recycling carbon emissions from steel mills into usable materials and chemicals.
• 🚀 **Market Potential**: The market for CO2 utilization is significant, with potential applications in sustainable aviation fuel and the production of various chemicals and materials.
• 🌟 **Commercial Progress**: LanzaTech has six commercial plants in operation, demonstrating the scalability and potential for exponential growth of their technology.
• 🔑 **Key Success Factors**: Reducing costs, technological innovation, and strategic partnerships are crucial for the widespread adoption of gas fermentation in the steel industry.
• 📈 **Economic and Environmental Synergy**: The technology not only helps in decarbonizing the steel sector but also provides economic benefits by producing valuable byproducts.
• 🌐 **Global Impact**: The technology has global applications, with projects in China, India, and Europe, showcasing its versatility across different regions.
• ⏳ **Timeline for Development**: The development and deployment of gas fermentation plants take approximately two and a half years, emphasizing the importance of starting the transition process early.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the collaboration between LanzaTech and Primetals Technologies?

The primary focus of the collaboration is to develop and implement gas fermentation solutions for decarbonizing the steel industry.

What was the significance of the first European LanzaTech plant?

The first European LanzaTech plant marked a milestone in the partnership, as it was the first to successfully ferment gases and produce renewable ethanol from carbon-rich waste gases.

How does the technology behind the carbon-smart process work?

The technology uses biological fermentation to transform CO2 or CO gases from the steel industry into ethanol through microbial processes, which can then be used in various industries.

What are the main benefits of the unique fermentation process for the steel industry?

The fermentation process allows for the utilization of waste gases, reducing the carbon footprint of the steel industry, and enabling the production of renewable ethanol and other valuable products.

What is the potential market size for CO2 utilization in the context of steel mill gases?

The potential market size is substantial, with applications in sustainable aviation fuel, petrochemicals, and other industries, potentially reaching billions of tons.

What are the key success factors for steel producers looking to reduce their carbon footprint?

Key factors include adopting a circular economy approach, recycling carbon byproducts, partnering with technology providers like LanzaTech, and integrating these technologies into steel production processes.

How long does it typically take to develop a project with the capacity of capture and utilization like LanzaTech's?

Under optimal conditions and assuming no unforeseen delays, the timeline from contract signing to commissioning is about two and a half years.

What is the scalability of the gas fermentation technology used by LanzaTech?

The technology is modular and scalable, with recent developments allowing for double the throughput in the same reactor size, making it adaptable to various scales of operation.

How does the transition to green hydrogen affect the gas fermentation process?

As the steel industry transitions to green hydrogen, the same fermentation system can be used to increase ethanol yield by adding hydrogen to the process, making it a flexible solution for different stages of industry transition.

What is the future outlook for the steel industry in terms of decarbonization?

The steel industry is expected to continue its decarbonization efforts, with more electric arc furnaces and a shift towards electrification. However, carbon capture and utilization technologies will remain relevant for existing blast furnaces.

How does LanzaTech's technology contribute to the circular economy?

LanzaTech's technology contributes by capturing carbon-rich waste gases and converting them into usable products like ethanol and other chemicals, thereby recycling carbon and reducing waste.