ExxonMobil’s affiliate Esso Nederland BV plans to build a pilot carbon capture plant at its Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex to test carbonate fuel cell technology jointly developed with FuelCell Energy.

The pilot plant will obtain data on performance and operability of the carbonate fuel cell (CFC) technology. Additionally, the pilot aims to address potential technical issues that may occur in a commercial environment and better understand the costs of installing and operating a CFC plant for carbon capture.

Esso’s Rotterdam integrated manufacturing site will be the first place in the world to pilot this technology. Pending a successful demonstration, ExxonMobil could deploy this technology at its manufacturing sites around the world.

Carbonate fuel cells have the ability to capture CO₂ emissions from industrial sources before they are released into the atmosphere, while also making valuable co-products. This feature increases the overall efficiency of the capture process and provides additional value streams that reduce the cost of carbon capture and storage.

CFC technology is also modular, potentially enabling carbon capture across a wide range of deployment scales. When the CFC technology is technically ready for broadscale implementation, it could potentially offer economical decarbonization solutions for customers from a wide range of industries and serve the broader social goal of working towards a net-zero future, FCE said.

“The unique advantage of this technology is that it not only captures CO2 but also produces low carbon power, heat, and hydrogen as co-products,” said Geoff Richardson, SVP of Commercial and Business Development for ExxonMobil Low Carbon Solutions. “We are excited for the opportunity to pilot this innovation at our own Rotterdam facility.”

FuelCell Energy and ExxonMobil believe that capturing carbon at the source is an efficient way to decarbonize heavy industry. This technology can capture carbon and produce electricity simultaneously, making it a game-changer in the industry.

—FuelCell Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Jason Few

The pilot project is co-funded by the European Union under the Emissions Trading System Innovation Fund and by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency by means of a Demonstration Energy and Climate Innovation (DEI+) grant.

The Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex is an integrated refining and petrochemical site. The refinery is one of the most energy-efficient refineries in Europe. It supplies the market with low-sulfur petroleum products, high quality basestocks for lubricants and feedstock for the chemical industry. The Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex is also integrated with an Air Products hydrogen plant. The integration optimizes energy efficiency and reduces CO₂ emissions.