How the engineering design of a Direct Air Capture MVP changes with industrial scale, AI and robotics?
Carbonbit is launching an innovation challenge seeking solutions that can help in identifying the crucial process, mechanical and electrical engineering modifications necessary to scale-up a small-scale DAC system to industrial-scale plant. The solutions should comprehensively outline and detail these changes, enabling potential costing for the development of the industrial plant, as well as detailing the clear uses of AI and robotics in enhancing the overall solution.
Opportunity
Challenge opens
03/04/2024
Challenge closes
08/05/2024
Benefit
The Net Zero Catalyst is an Innovate UK Innovation Exchange (iX) competition which makes available grant funding for a series of Net Zero iX challenges (up to £25,000 per challenge partnership). Please note that, in accordance with the iX process, all funding will be directed to solution providers.
The Challenge
Carbonbit has developed an MVP Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology system capable of removing 100kg CO2 per annum. The company now wishes to scale up to industrial scale, removing 20,000 / 100,000 / 500,000 tonnes CO2 per annum. and needs to understand the key process / mechanical / electrical engineering changes required to achieve this. It is considered that AI and robotics will play a part in both the scale up and the operation of the industrial plant and its overall circularity as well as in the service and performance monitoring. Therefore, the company also wished to understand to what extent this might be, and the resources required to realise this.
Successfully overcoming this challenge will enable Carbonbit to present a detailed, viable solution to investors, covering the transition from MVP to industrial scale and facilitating accurate cost estimation for plant development.
A critical aspect of scaling is maintaining an efficient balance between CO2 capture and energy consumption, particularly in energy-intensive processes like the vacuum pump system but also in terms of ease of operation and maintenance and circularity. Carbonbit seeks to optimise this balance to minimise operational costs.
The solution provider should also consider developing a maintenance scheduling methodology for DAC components, potentially using AI for condition- or risk-based maintenance, which could serve as a model across the industry.
This challenge is brought to you by:
