“This project with Neumann Systems has the potential to significantly accelerate the commercialization of both our companies’ carbon capture technologies,” said Evan Price, President and CEO of CO₂ Solutions. “Successful completion of the pilot will enable us to jointly pursue commercial opportunities both companies have identified. This is also a timely start to a relationship between CO₂ Solutions and a U.S. partner given the June 2, 2014 landmark announcement by the Obama administration of carbon emissions regulations for the U.S. power sector.”

The pilot combines CO₂ Solutions’ enzyme-based technology with Neumann System’s high mass transfer gas-liquid contactor technology, known as NeuStream®. The technology has a significantly smaller footprint than current technologies, with development to date demonstrating the potential to reduce CO₂ capture equipment capital costs by up to 50%.

CO₂ Solutions has demonstrated that, using conventional CO₂ capture equipment, its enzyme-based solution can generate cost savings in excess of 30% compared to conventional solvent-based processes. Additionally, the solution enables the use of low-grade heat from industrial sources, dramatically reducing process energy costs.

Initial large bench-scale testing of CO₂ Solutions’ enzyme-enabled carbon capture solvent with NeuStream® has already yielded very positive results. The upcoming pilot demonstration will capture approximately 10 tonnes per day of CO₂. The pilot is scheduled to run for one month, beginning in April 2015, at Neumann System’s Colorado Springs facility. CO₂ produced at the facility is expected to be suitable for EOR and other commercial applications.

CO₂ Solutions currently also has a partnership with Husky Energy for a pilot CO₂ capture in Saskatchewan.

The complete press release is available here.