Page 173 - CW E-Magazine (9-7-2024)

News from Abroad

GREENER PROCESS
Elkem to pilot CO -free silicon production
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Norway’s Elkem is researching a new nace, the process gases end up as CO emis-
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concept for silicon production, which aims sions. In Sicalo, the emitted carbon will be
to eliminate nearly all direct CO emis- captured and reused in the silicon produc-
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sions. The concept involves capturing and tion process as a reductant.
recycling the carbon in the process off gas
and reusing it in the production process. Elkem is about to complete the fi rst
phase of the research and development
Norwegian government enterprise, work of Sicalo, where the various sub-
Enova, has granted Elkem 31-mn processes are tested on laboratory and
Norwegian kroner (around $3-mn) for a bench scales together with its partners.
medium scale pilot, to be carried out in The project has previously received 16-mn
Kristiansand, Norway. Silicon is a critical Norwegian kroner in funding from the
raw material for the green and digital transi- processes. The emissions from the carbon Research Council of Norway for this
tions, as it is used in electric vehicles, solar needed to produce silicon from quartz is research phase in 2022-2024. “There is
cells, batteries, computers, wind turbines however hard to abate. “With this ground- still signifi cant research needed before
and much more. The production of silicon breaking research into carbon looping, pos- we can see this as a viable solution in full
is however a source of greenhouse gas sibly reusing captured carbon in our own scale, but preliminary results are promis-
emissions, as the process requires a source process, we are exploring a potential game ing, and we are proud to have world class
of carbon to reduce the quartz into silicon. changer in the silicon production industry,” researchers and pilot facilities for work-
said Elkem’s CEO Mr. Helge Aasen. The ing on these possible future technologies
According to Elkem, its silicon pro- new concept, named Sicalo (Silicon pro- for the silicon industry,” said Mr. Aasen.
duction is based on more than 80% emis- duction with carbon looping), will eliminate Elkem also completed the world’s fi rst
sion-free electricity and is one of the the need for any carbon used as a reduction carbon capture pilot in a silicon smelter in
world’s most sustainable silicon production material, if realised. In today’s silicon fur- 2023, with capture rates of up to 95%.
PROJECT PROGRESS
Mitsui and partners to begin work on clean ammonia

facility in UAE

Japan’s Mitsui & Co., alongside ammonia. To achieve tries. Mitsui has been handling
TA’ZIZ (owned by Abu Dhabi National CO emission re- ammonia for about 50 years, and
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Oil Company), Fertiglobe, and South ductions, additional continues to be the largest im-
Korea’s GS Energy Corporation, has agreed facilities will be in- porter to Japan for many years.
to commence construction of an ammonia stalled in the plant Mitsui and ADNOC have been
production facility in the United Arab to capture and store jointly developing and manag-
Emirates (UAE). In addition, Mitsui has CO emitted in the ing liquefi ed natural gas (LNG)
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signed a loan agreement with Japan Bank manufacturing process, with plans to begin plant in the UAE since the 1970s. In its
for International Cooperation (JBIC) to production of clean ammonia by 2030. In ‘Medium-term Management Plan 2026’,
fi nance the development of the project. addition to its participation in the project, Mitsui has designated global energy tran-
Mitsui will offtake a certain volume of the sition as one of its key strategic initiatives,
The project involves the construction clean ammonia produced at the plant for and positioned clean ammonia, which
of an ammonia production facility in Al supplying Japan and other Asian markets, does not emit CO during combustion, as
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Ruwais, UAE. Starting from 2027, the thereby contributing to the decarbonisa- one of the promising options for next-gene-
plant is expected to produce 1-million tion of society as a whole, through its use ration fuels, and will strive to contribute to
tons per year of ammonia with lower CO in fuel applications, chemical and fertiliser the realisation of a decarbonised society
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emissions compared to conventional feedstock applications, and other indus- through this business initiative.

Chemical Weekly July 9, 2024 173

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