Conversion of CO2 emissions from waste incineration into formic acid via an electrochemical process - IDENTIFIED BY INCITE

The technique consists in an electrochemical process that converts CO2, originating from waste incineration and wastewater processing, for production of formic acid.

This reaction is paired with the generation of high-energy oxidants, which are used to remove persistent contaminants from wastewater thereby contributing to a clean water cycle with zero-waste. The energy to run the electrochemical process is provided by the waste incineration facility. The formic acid is a feedstock for the production of Acidic Deep Eutectic Solvents (ADES). These ADES are used to extract precious metals from water treatment sludge and incinerator ash. Additionally, the formic acid is used for fish leather tanning to sustainably produce fish leather and will be tested in consumer cleaning products. The WaterProof technology results in a GHG reduction based on CO2 utilisation, replacement of fossil feedstock and by industrial electrification. This innovative technqiue will be developed up to a TRL 6. The conversion of CO2 from wastewater treatment and the CO2 captured at a waste incinerator is demonstrated in two consecutive campaigns.

Link to the technique (Basic Information)

https://waterproof-project.eu/

Participant Companies

Project coordinator

AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV

Project partners

FUNDACION TECNOLOGICA ADVANTX FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION STICHTING WATERNET ECOVER CO-ORDINATION CENTER NOVA-INSTITUT FUR POLITISCHE UND OKOLOGISCHE INNOVATION GMBH NORDIC FISH LEATHER EHF IZES GGMBH FRAMES RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS B.V. NV HVC CORPORACION CENTRO DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA DE ANTIOQUIA CORALTECH B.V.

Technology provider

COATEMA COATING MACHINERY GMBH AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV AVANTIUM SUPPORT BV

Under development / testing

Technology readiness level (TRL) 6

Date of development of the technique: 1 June 2022

31 May 2026
Environmental purpose of the innovative technique: Circular economy (e.g. recovery/reuse/recycling of residues, industrial symbiosis)
Relevant industrial sector: Waste treatment
IED activity: 6.11. Independently operated treatment of waste water not covered by Directive 91/271/EEC and discharged by an installation

Locations

Waternet

Korte Ouderkerkerdijk 7, 1096 AC Amsterdam Netherlands

Commissioning expected date

30 June 2025

Project

urban WAste and water Treatment Emission Reduction by utilizing CO2 for the PROduction Of Formate derived chemicals

The EU-funded WaterProof project will tackle this issue by developing a clean water cycle loop that uses CO2 and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. To do this, it will use the CO2 from the waste incineration and wastewater treatment in an electrochemical process to make formic acid for consumer products and oxidants that are useful during the decontamination process.

https://waterproof-project.eu/consortium/

Project coordinator: AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV
Project partners: FUNDACION TECNOLOGICA ADVANTX; FUNDACION TECNALIA RESEARCH & INNOVATION; STICHTING WATERNET; ECOVER CO-ORDINATION CENTER; NOVA-INSTITUT FUR POLITISCHE UND OKOLOGISCHE INNOVATION GMBH; NORDIC FISH LEATHER EHF; IZES GGMBH; FRAMES RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS B.V.; NV HVC; CORPORACION CENTRO DE CIENCIA Y TECNOLOGIA DE ANTIOQUIA; CORALTECH B.V.
Technology provider: COATEMA COATING MACHINERY GMBH; AVANTIUM CHEMICALS BV; AVANTIUM SUPPORT BV

Reference documents related to the innovative technique

24-07-08_waterproof-factsheet-2_en_1.pdf

(2,35 MB - pdf)

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