COSCEM at GEOMAR

COSCEM at GEOMAR

Director: Prof. Dr. Anton Eisenhauer

The CarbonOcean approach aims to use the ocean for CO₂ extraction in order to generate negative atmospheric CO₂ emissions.

In a first phase, a pilot plant is being developed and constructed with our development partner GEOMAR Helmholz – Center for Ocean Research Kiel.

COSCEM is an acronym of:
Carbon Ocean for Seawater Carbon Dioxide Extraction and Mitigation

 

Technology

CarbonOcean utilises the CLP process (Carbon Loop Precipitation), in which seawater is used as a reaction medium to extract CO₂ from the atmosphere and chemically bind it. The addition of CaO or Ca(OH)₂ increases the pH value of the water and its CO₂ absorption capacity. The seawater then draws CO₂ from the air to restore the disturbed balance.

The absorbed CO₂ is precipitated in the reactor in the form of stable calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). After the reaction, the water is reused in a closed circuit.

Calcination of the atmospheric CO₂ bound in CaCO₃ recovers it in pure form. This CO₂ is then available for applications in the field of carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) or can also be permanently stored as part of CCS.
The CLP process is patent pending (application number: EP 23 157 695.8) and forms the technological basis for our further development and scaling activities.

Advantages of integration into existing infrastructures:

The CLP units can be integrated into existing water-bearing systems, such as seawater desalination plants, coastal industrial facilities or offshore platforms. Pre-desalination reduces the load on downstream desalination stages, for example, making CLP particularly attractive for integration into existing or planned seawater desalination plants. 
This results in several economic and technical advantages:
  • Cost synergies: The use of existing infrastructure such as water inlets, filtration systems, pumps and energy supply significantly reduces investment and operating costs.
  • Faster implementation: Connecting to existing facilities reduces construction time, and the regulatory burden is generally lower than for new, stand-alone systems.
  • Utilisation of existing energy flows: Waste heat, process heat or surplus electricity from existing plants can be used for calcination or for operating points in the CLP process.
  • Efficient water management: The CLP process can be integrated into the pump circuit, allowing existing pump capacities to be utilised and eliminating the need for separate water transport.
  • Compatibility with water infrastructure: The combination of CO₂ capture and water treatment creates additional functionality and can support the efficient use of existing coastal infrastructure.
  • Synergies with seawater electrolysis: The water that has been partially desalinated and decarbonised in the CLP process can simplify the pre-treatment steps of seawater electrolysis and reduce its energy and chemical requirements. This will ultimately create an integrated platform for CO₂ removal and the provision of water for electrochemical processes.