Accelerating Carbon Capture Innovations
Accelerated deployment of integrated CCUS chains based on solvent capture technology
AURORA is a collaborative project funded by the European Union’s HORIZON EUROPE programme dedicated to optimising and qualifying the open, non-proprietary CESAR1 solvent-based carbon capture technology for commercial deployment.
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Latest News & Updates
What’s New in AURORA? Discover Our Latest Highlights in Our 4th Newsletter!
The AURORA project is proud to share its fourth newsletter! Interested in C.C.U.S technologies? Read the latest news from the 🍃AURORA project (funded by the European Union\'s HORIZON EUROPE program) on the accelerated deployment of integrated CCUS chains based on solvent capture technology.🍃AURORA aims to optimise and qualify the open,…
International Women’s Day – Let’s celebrate our female researchers: interview with Hanna Katarina Knuutila!
The AURORA project is pleased to dedicate this article to our female researchers to promote their work and careers around the decarbonisation of CO2-intensive industries such as refining, cement, and materials recycling, as sectors where other alternatives towards climate neutrality do not exist yet. As part of the AURORA project,…
International Women’s Day – Let’s celebrate our female researchers: interview with Vanja Buvik!
The AURORA project is pleased to dedicate this article to our female researchers to promote their work and careers around the decarbonisation of CO2-intensive industries such as refining, cement, and materials recycling, as sectors where other alternatives towards climate neutrality do not exist yet. As part of the AURORA project,…
Don’t miss the 8th Post-Combustion Capture Conference | September 16th-18th 2025 in Marseille (France)
The AURORA consortium is pleased to announce its participation in the 8th Post-Combustion Capture Conference (PCCC-8), set to take place from September 16 to 18, 2025, in Marseille, France. Organized by the IEA Greenhouse Gas R&D Programme (IEAGHG), PCCC-8 is a key international forum dedicated to the latest advancements in…
Join us at the 13th Trondheim CCS Conference (TCCS-13) | June 16th-19th 2025 in Trondheim (Norway)
We are thrilled to announce that the AURORA project, coordinated by SINTEF, will actively participate in the upcoming 13th Trondheim CCS Conference (TCCS-13), scheduled from June 16 to 19, 2025, in Trondheim, Norway. AURORA\'s ContributionAURORA\'s consortium has submitted five abstracts, with four accepted, each highlighting significant advancements in carbon capture, utilization,…
Getting ready for our 3rd online Stakeholder Forum (StF)!
AURORA is preparing its third Stakeholder Forum (StF) to be held online on February, the 13th February 2025 (14-16 CET). Our StF serves to guide AURORA\'s developments and advise on next steps to drive market adoption of our capture technology.What would be your role?As a member of the AURORA Stakeholder…
AURORA 3rd General Assembly online
The AURORA project partners recently had their third General Assembly online, to assess progress and outline plans for the next phases of the project. To kick off 2025 on a strong foundation, the AURORA consortium gathered online to review the progress of Work Packages and outline their plans for the next…
Throwback on the GHGT-17 – Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies conference in Calgary, Canada
From October 20th to 24th, 2024, the AURORA project partners participated in the 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-17) in Calgary, Canada, where over 1,500 peers gathered to discuss the latest advancements in greenhouse gas control.Three partners from the AURORA project presented at the conference, and their…
Join us at the European Cement Decarbonisation Summit 2024 | Oct. 30th – 31st in Hamburg (Germany)
We are excited to announce that the AURORA project, coordinated by SINTEF, will be prominently featured at the upcoming European Cement Decarbonisation Summit 2024 on October 31st. Representing SINTEF, Hanne Kvamsdal will present the project’s groundbreaking findings and share valuable lessons learned throughout its development. This prestigious event, organised by…
SINTEF Launches 6-Month CESAR1 Pilot Campaign at Tiller CO2LAB
We are excited to announce that the six-month CESAR1 pilot campaign has officially begun at SINTEF’s Tiller CO2LAB. Starting in the last week of August, this comprehensive campaign will play a crucial role in advancing carbon capture technology. The goal is to conduct 115 tests on the CESAR1 solvent and…
Autumn Insights from the AURORA Project – Your Latest Newsletter is Here! 🍁
As the autumn leaves begin to fall, ushering in a fresh season of change, we invite you to explore the latest updates from the AURORA Carbon Capture Project. From March to September, our team has made groundbreaking strides in carbon capture technology, paving the way for a greener future. Highlights…
Boosting CCUS Innovation: AURORA Project Partners Convene for 3rd Project Meeting!
The AURORA project partners recently came together in Paris for their 3rd General Assembly meeting on September 3-4, 2024, to assess progress and outline plans for the next phases of the project. The meeting focused on advancing carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies using solvent-based systems, with the goal…
AURORA Project Highlights Participation in GreenDealCO2 Final Workshop
On June 18, 2024, the AURORA project participated in the final workshop of the EU project GreenDealCO2, held at Haus der Technik e.V. in Essen, Germany, and online. This engaging networking event brought together stakeholders from various EU projects focused on sustainability and decarbonization.The workshop featured insightful presentations and discussions…
ESCAPE34-PSE24 European Symposium on Computer-Aided Process Engineering | Florence, June 2 to 6, 2024
Discover the groundbreaking advances in process systems engineering and CO2 capture technology from our project partners SINTEF and Cybernetica. Their collaborative paper on the optimal control of solvent-based CO2 capture plants will be presented at the ESCAPE34-PSE24 symposium, (European Symposium on Computer Aided Process Engineering and International Symposium on Process…
Throwback on the “Transition to the Zero-Carbon target” conference organised by HERACLES (AURORA project partner)
On 21 March, HERACLES, a partner in the AURORA project, was pleased to host its conference on \"Transition to Zero Carbon\" (see agenda below) in the auditorium of the Greek Technical Chamber, Magnesia Dpt. The event coincided with a visit by SINTEF and Aker Carbon Capture (ACC) teams to the…
Fresh Updates for a Greener Future: AURORA Project’s Second Newsletter (Oct 2023 – Mar 2024) Now Available!
The AURORA project is proud to announce the launch of its second newsletter! Interested in C.C.U.S technologies? Read the latest news from the 🍃AURORA project (funded by the European Union\'s HORIZON EUROPE program) on the accelerated deployment of integrated CCUS chains based on solvent capture technology.🍃AURORA aims to optimise and…
AURORA Project Featured on CEMBUREAU’s Map of Innovation Projects
We are thrilled to announce that the AURORA project, a pioneering initiative in carbon capture and utilization, has been added to CEMBUREAU\'s prestigious Map of Innovation Projects as of March 2024. This recognition underscores the significant strides AURORA is making in the field of industrial decarbonization.AURORA, funded under the European…
On-site flue gas characterization carried out by SINTEF at Motor Oil Refinery in Agioi Theodoroi, Corinthos, Greece
Motor Oil had the pleasure of welcoming its AURORA partners at the Refinery in Agioi Theodoroi, Corinthos, Greece, last week, 11th to 15th March 2024. The whole week was devoted to on-site measurements carried out by SINTEF experts, using specialised instruments for gas and particle analysis on the hydrogen production…
2nd LCA to CCUS and alternative fuels workshop | co-hosted by ACCSESS and ConsenCUS projects
On Thursday 12 March, the AURORA project, represented by Stuart Scott from the University of Cambridge, participated to the 2nd LCA to CCUS and alternative fuels workshop, co-hosted by sister projects ACCSESS and ConsenCUS. The workshop, moderated by Kristin Jordal and Adriana Reyes-Lúa from SINTEF Energy Research, and Dirk Koppert…
International Women’s Day – Let’s celebrate our female researchers: interview with Peipei Chen!
The AURORA project is pleased to dedicate this article to our female researchers to promote their work and careers around the decarbonisation of CO2-intensive industries such as refining, cement, and materials recycling, as sectors where other alternatives towards climate neutrality do not exist yet. As part of the AURORA project,…
International Women’s Day – Let’s celebrate our female researchers: interview with Hanne Kvamsdal!
The AURORA project is pleased to dedicate this article to our female researchers to promote their work and careers around the decarbonisation of CO2-intensive industries such as refining, cement, and materials recycling, as sectors where other alternatives towards climate neutrality do not exist yet. As part of the AURORA project,…
The methodology for full chain CCUS assessment and cluster development is established
The first deliverable of Work Package 5 on the Full chain CCUS assessment has been issued. This report results from continuous discussions and workshop between all partners during the first year. It is co-authored by TotalEnergies, SINTEF, UNIROMA1 and Cambridge University.Links between the different blocks of a full CCUS chainThis…
The methodology for assessment of the AURORA technology and qualification of the CESAR1 solvent is established
The final aim of the AURORA project is to qualify the CESAR1 solvent for commercial deployment and to establish this solvent and its associated absorption process as the new benchmark for CO2 capture. This requires that the performance of the solvent is known and that any risks in the deployment of…
Getting ready: Motor Oil and HERACLES set date for onsite flue gas characterization with SINTEF experts!
The Motor Oil refinery and the HERACLES cement plant in Greece are both preparing on site and have set dates in March 2024 for flue gas characterization with SINTEF experts. An in-depth analysis will be carried out respectively on the hydrogen production unit and the kiln stack.HERACLES cement plant, GreeceMotorOil…
AURORA 2nd General Assembly & Stakeholder Forum in Cambridge (UK)
What better way to celebrate the New Year than by gathering for our second Project and General Meeting on January 9 and 10 in Cambridge, UK!Our consortium began the day with an overview of progress and results in advancing carbon capture technology. Discussions focused on the following points: Improved models…
Getting ready for our 2nd hybrid Stakeholder Forum (StF) in Cambridge!
AURORA is preparing its second Stakeholder Forum (StF) to be held in Cambridge and online (hybrid meeting) from 15-17 (GMT) in January 2024. Our StF serves to guide AURORA\'s developments and advise on next steps to drive market adoption of our capture technology.On the agenda: RWE Innovation Center (partner of…
1st Newsletter: read the latest news about the AURORA project!
The AURORA project is proud to announce the launch of its first newsletter! Interested in C.C.U.S technologies? Read the latest news from the 🍃AURORA project (funded by the European Union\'s HORIZON EUROPE program) on the accelerated deployment of integrated CCUS chains based on solvent capture technology.🍃AURORA aims to optimise and…
Installation and operation of the MTU (Mobile test Unit) pilot unit at the Volos plant
During the period January-September 2023, the HERACLES team carried out the authorisation procedures for the installation and operation of the MTU pilot unit at the Volos plant. The HERACLES team worked with its partners on on-site flue gas characterisation and on the methodology for evaluating and technologically qualifying large-scale capture…
Presenting the AURORA project at the CO2GeoNet Open Forum Conference in Venice, Italy
SINTEF was invited by the AURORA partner Sapienza University who is in the Secretariat of CO2GeoNet Open Forum, to give a presentation about CCS chains activities in the AURORA project. CO2GeoNet is the European scientific body on CO2 geological storage and they arrange regular workshops within this topic. However, one…
CINEA cluster event – Public perception and business models
The AURORA project is invited to participate in the CINEA cluster event on public perception and business models...
Our Publications
Research & Reports
Conference publication – GHGT-17: Viscosity and Density data for the CESAR1 solvent
Abstract Global warming is a major issue that needs to be addressed and limited. The CESAR1 solvent blend has a high potential for becoming a commonly employed, commercial solvent system. In this work, the viscosity and density data for aqueous CO2 loaded CESAR1 (26.6 wt.% AMP 12.8 wt.% PZ) solution…
Conference abstract – TCCS-13: “Investigating Aerosol growth and emissions using the CESAR1 solvent”
Abstract CO2 capture using amine-based absorption is the most mature technology to decarbonize carbon intensive industries, Bui et al. (2018). Research has been focused on studying solvents that are stable, environmentally sustainable and energy efficient. The CESAR1 solvent, an aqueous blend of 3 M 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and 1.5 M piperazine…
Conference abstract – TCCS-13: “Breaking the 90 % Barrier: CESAR1 performance in achieving Net-Zero Goals”
Abstract CO2 capture plays a fundamental role in achieving the climate change goals set by the Paris Agreement 2015. Capturing 90% of the CO2 being emitted from industrial sources is not enough, (Brandl et al., 2021). There is a need to design, optimize and qualify technologies that achieve higher capture…
Conference abstract – TCCS-13: “Pilot tests for qualification of the CESAR1 solvent for flexible operation”
Abstract Many large-scale capture plants will need to be operated in a flexible and dynamic manner to cope with varying flow rates and/or CO2 concentration in the flue gas from the host plant. Under such circumstances, careful design of the capture plant is required, as well as proper process control…
Conference abstract – TCCS-13: “Reclamation chemistry of the CESAR1 solvent”
Abstract The CESAR1 solvent is possibly the most popular non-proprietary solvent blend for CO2 capture and has been under thorough investigation in the past decade (Benquet et al., 2021; Buvik et al., 2024a; Campbell et al., 2022; Hume et al., 2022, 2021; Moser et al., 2023, 2021a, 2021b). The Horizon…
Conference publication – GHGT-17: “Storage potential evaluation of eastern Mediterranean area as final step of the full chainassessment”
The final step in capturing and storing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is geological storage, where CO₂ is injected deep underground into carefully chosen locations. These locations could be natural formations like saline aquifers (underground reservoirs filled with salty water) or empty oil and gas fields.This work, part of the AURORA…
Understanding Solvent Degradation in CO₂ Capture – CESAR1 Solvent Degradation in Pilot and Laboratory Scale
The fight against climate change requires innovative solutions, and one promising method is CO₂ capture and storage (CCS). CCS involves capturing carbon dioxide from industrial emissions before it reaches the atmosphere. At the heart of this process are specialized chemical solvents, such as CESAR1, which absorb CO₂ from flue gases.While…
Turning Waste Into Opportunity: Thermal Reclamation Chemistry of Common Amine Solvents
CO2 capture technology is vital for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. But what happens when the chemicals used in this process wear out or degrade? Scientists have been studying how to rejuvenate these chemicals through a method called thermal reclaiming. This research focuses on ethanolamine (MEA), a widely used solvent for…
Closing Knowledge Gaps – Density and Viscosity of Unloaded and CO2-loaded Aqueous AMP-PZ blends
AURORA’s latest scientific journal publication provides experimental density and viscosity data on different unloaded and CO2-loaded aqueous blends of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and piperazine (PZ) used for absorption-based CO2 capture. The paper also provides correlations for density and viscosity suitable for various modelling works.In our previous review article, we identified knowledge…
Unlocking New Potential of CESAR1-based chemical absorption Technology: Available data and knowledge gaps of the CESAR1 solvent system
AURORA latest review paper, developed in collaboration with researchers from SINTEF and NTNU, provides a comprehensive analysis of the CESAR1 solvent system. It collects and evaluates existing experimental data, highlights knowledge gaps, and outlines the necessary next steps in research to optimize the use of CESAR1 for CO₂ capture.In the…
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Meet the AURORA Consortium
The AURORA project is powered by a diverse consortium of 12 partners from industry, research, and academia. Our team is dedicated to advancing carbon capture technology through collaborative efforts and significant industrial involvement.
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