CO₂ Recovery Technology
Find out how ASCO recovers CO₂ from industrial processes, treats it and makes it suitable for new applications.
CO₂ Recovery – Efficient, Sustainable, Forward-Looking
CO₂ is a valuable gas that is indispensable in many industries. With ASCO CO₂ recovery, emissions from flue gases, by-products or dry ice production can be efficiently captured, purified and reused. The technology minimises CO₂ losses, supports sustainability goals and, at the same time, ensures a safe, reliable supply of high-quality CO₂.
What is CO₂ Recovery – And Why is it Important?
CO₂ recovery refers to the technological process in which carbon dioxide is captured from industrial gas streams, chemically bound, processed and made available for reuse. The process offers companies the opportunity to drastically reduce CO₂ emissions and reuse it as a raw material for numerous applications – such as dry ice production, the drinks industry or chemical processes.
In the case of flue gas sources, CO₂ is extracted from combustion processes. In the case of by-products, CO₂ is captured that is already produced in high purity, for example in ammonia or ethanol production. Special systems also make it possible to recover CO₂ from a company’s own dry ice production for reuse. The aim is a closed, efficient cycle that reduces environmental impact whilst saving costs.
For companies, this means not only making an active contribution to reducing emissions, but above all savings in CO₂ operating costs, greater security of supply and the opportunity to establish more sustainable processes.
Which Industries are CO₂ Recovery Systems Suitable for?
A CO₂ recovery plant is worthwhile wherever CO₂ is produced on a regular basis – whether in the form of exhaust gases from combustion processes or as a high-purity by-product of chemical and biotechnological manufacturing processes. It is particularly suitable for businesses with constant process flows, such as power stations, cement works, chemical plants, gas producers, fermentation plants and biogas plants.
As a general rule, the more constant and the higher the CO₂ content of the source, the more economical the recovery. Companies with their own CO₂ consumption – e.g. for dry ice, beverage production or industrial applications – benefit further from the internal use of the recovered CO₂.
How ASCO CO₂ Recovery Works
ASCO systems operate fully automatically around the clock and are based on state-of-the-art absorption technology using the special solvent ASCOSORB-RS.
- Feed of the raw gas
The CO₂-containing gas from the process is fed into the ASCO reactor via pipes. It is first cooled and stripped of water-soluble impurities such as sulphur dioxide. - Absorption
In the stainless steel absorber column, the gas flows against the absorption solution. The CO₂ is chemically bound, whilst the remaining gases, such as nitrogen or oxygen, escape into the atmosphere. - Recovery from the solution
The CO₂-rich solvent is fed into a stripping column, where the CO₂ is released again through heating. The solution can be fed directly back into the absorber to minimise losses. - Conditioning and processing
The separated CO₂ is cooled, compressed, dried and purified to remove odour and colour particles. The end result is a pure, odourless and colourless CO₂ product. - Storage or further use
The treated CO₂ can be stored in liquid form or fed directly into industrial processes.
Why Invest in CO₂ Recovery?
Economic benefits
A CO₂ recovery system reduces operating costs in the long term, as the need for externally purchased CO₂ is significantly reduced. At the same time, it gives companies the flexibility to use the recovered CO₂ for various purposes – whether for dry ice production, beverage manufacturing or other industrial processes. This increases the efficiency of production chains and makes it easier to calculate operating costs.
Environmental responsibility and sustainability
With its own recovery solution, the company actively contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. CO₂ emissions from production processes are captured directly at source and either reused or prepared for permanent storage. In this way, the plant supports the achievement of global climate targets whilst simultaneously improving the company’s environmental footprint, which is a decisive competitive advantage in an era of ESG guidelines and increasing regulatory requirements.
Strategic flexibility and innovation potential
CO₂ recovery opens up new opportunities for companies: the recovered gas can not only be used internally but also for the production of e-fuels, chemical intermediates or in industrial CO₂ storage. Companies can thus position themselves as innovative and forward-looking, tap into new business areas and increase their independence from fossil fuels.
What Grade of CO₂ is Produced – And What Can it be Used For?
Depending on the application, CO₂ recovery plants produce high-purity CO₂, which typically achieves purities of over 99.9%. Through multi-stage gas scrubbing, drying, filtration and liquefaction, the CO₂ is completely purified of water, oxygen, nitrogen and organic trace substances.
The CO₂ obtained in this way is suitable for numerous applications – from industrial processes and food safety to in-house dry ice production. At the same time, the high product purity opens up access to modern CCUS strategies (Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage): the CO₂ can not only be utilised, but also stored long-term or fed back into chemical and energy value chains. In this way, recovery actively contributes to decarbonisation and resource efficiency within companies.
Landmark Project in Rhodesia: CO₂ Recovery in Practice
Find out how the Landmark project in Rhodesia has successfully commissioned a CO₂ recovery plant. The plant captures CO₂ from industrial processes, reduces emissions and, at the same time, supplies high-quality CO₂ resources for further use. This project impressively demonstrates how companies can use innovative technologies to reduce costs, increase security of supply and actively contribute to sustainability.
Advantages of a CO₂ Recovery System
Cost savings
Recovering CO₂ in-house significantly reduces the need to purchase CO₂ from external sources. This leads to significant savings in operating costs, particularly in the case of continuous or high-volume production.
Security of supply
With your own CO₂ system, you are not reliant on external supplies or subject to supply bottlenecks. You have a reliable supply at all times, which prevents production downtime and gives you greater planning certainty.
Sustainability
CO₂ capture measurably reduces your company’s emissions. This not only helps you achieve your climate targets, but also strengthens your ESG strategy and enhances your environmentally conscious image among customers and partners.
Process reliability
A continuous, reliable supply of CO₂ ensures stable production processes. This minimises fluctuations in quality and downtime caused by a lack of CO₂, thereby increasing the efficiency of your plants.
System integration
Our CO₂ recovery systems can be easily integrated into existing production processes. The technology works seamlessly with your existing processes without the need for major adjustments or interruptions.
Quick payback
Investing in a CO₂ recovery system pays for itself particularly quickly in the case of regular or high-volume operations. Thanks to the combination of cost savings, process reliability and sustainability, the system often pays for itself within a few years.
CO₂ Recovery
Questions & Answers
What is CO₂ recovery?
CO₂ capture refers to processes in which carbon dioxide is captured from industrial exhaust gas streams, fermentation processes or the ambient air. The aim is to reduce emissions and reuse the captured CO₂ as a valuable resource. Modern capture technologies enable high levels of purity and contribute to the decarbonisation of a wide range of industries. Find out more here.
How does a CO₂ recovery system work from a technical point of view?
A CO₂ recovery plant filters carbon dioxide from exhaust or process gases, purifies it and liquefies it. Typical steps include absorption, drying, compression and liquefaction. The result is high-quality CO₂ that can be used in food, industrial or chemical applications. These processes are automated and energy-optimised, meaning that existing production lines are barely affected. Find out more here.
What are the benefits of CO₂ recovery for businesses?
Businesses benefit from lower emissions, reduced CO₂ taxes, a better environmental footprint and the opportunity to reuse the captured CO₂ in a commercially viable way. At the same time, companies become less reliant on external CO₂ supply chains and improve their security of supply. Find out more here.
Which industries are particularly well suited to CO₂ recovery?
Breweries, biogas plants, industrial facilities, the gas industry, the oil industry, chemical companies and all production processes with high CO₂ emissions are particularly suitable. Recovery systems can be efficiently integrated wherever CO₂ is produced and can be utilised at the same time. Find out more here.
What is the difference between CCU and CCS?
CCU (Carbon Capture and Utilisation) involves the reuse of captured CO₂ – for example, in beverages, welding gas, dry ice, agriculture or synthetic fuels.
CCS (Carbon Capture and Storage) describes the permanent storage of CO₂ in geological formations.
CCU has the advantage of enabling direct economic use and closing regional CO₂ cycles, whereas with CCS, the CO₂ is permanently sequestered and therefore no longer enters the atmosphere.
How does CO₂ capture contribute to climate protection?
Capturing and reusing CO₂ significantly reduces emissions into the atmosphere. At the same time, recycled CO₂ replaces fossil CO₂ produced through energy-intensive processes. This reduces the overall carbon footprint of industrial processes, which is a key component of global climate strategies.
Can recovered CO₂ be used in food-grade applications?
Yes, modern recovery systems achieve levels of purity that meet the stringent requirements of the food and beverage industry. This requires appropriate cleaning stages and quality controls to reliably remove impurities from the CO₂. ASCO recovery systems meet these requirements.
How cost-effective is a CO₂ recovery system?
Cost-effectiveness depends on CO₂ consumption, production volume and local CO₂ prices. Many businesses recoup the cost of recovery systems within a few years, as they produce their own CO₂, reduce emissions and save on the costs of purchasing or transporting it.
Can existing systems be retrofitted?
Yes. Many CO₂ recovery systems can be integrated into existing production lines on a modular basis. This enables companies to expand their existing production systems in an environmentally friendly way without having to carry out major modifications.
Can CO₂ capture be combined with renewable energy?
Yes. Plants can be powered by green electricity, which further reduces their carbon footprint. Furthermore, by combining captured CO₂ with renewable hydrogen, it is possible to produce climate-neutral fuels or synthetic raw materials – an important step towards a circular economy.
Is operating a CO₂ recovery system a complex process?
Modern systems are largely automated and designed for continuous 24/7 operation. They require only regular maintenance and monitoring, which keeps the day-to-day workload to a minimum.
What levels of CO₂ can be achieved through recovery?
Most systems achieve high purity levels of up to 99.9% or higher. Depending on the model, the CO₂ is suitable for technical, industrial or food-grade applications. Thanks to their modular design, the systems can be adapted to meet specific quality requirements.
ASCO – Your Partner for the Entire CO₂ Value Chain
From CO₂ supply and dry ice production to recovery technologies: ASCO offers complete, seamlessly integrated solutions from a single source. With many years of experience, innovative technologies and a global service network, we reliably support companies on their journey towards greater efficiency, quality and sustainability. Get to know us and discover how ASCO can provide you with comprehensive support.
+41 71 466 80 80
info@ascoco2.com
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