Calix low emissions lime technology in UK boost

The UK Government’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) has announced that the Buxton Lime Net Zero project utilising Australian company Calix technology has successfully passed the due diligence phase of the country’s Industrial Carbon Capture (ICC) funding scheme.

This is seen by project proponents UK construction company Tarmac and Calix subsidiary Leilac as moving a step closer to delivering a world first zero emissions lime plant in the UK.

Calix is also working with Australian materials companies Adbri and Boral to develop its low emission lime production technology, as well as developing low emission cement production.

According to a Calix statement, the chemical process to make lime from limestone results in the unavoidable release of CO2 directly from the raw material during procession, with the emissions responsible for the majority of the lime industry’s carbon footprint.

Leilac’s technology uses a kiln with external heating to keep unavoidable process emissions uncontaminated, enabling their efficient capture as high purity CO2s.

The proposed zero emissions plant would use the Leilac technology to capture up to 20,000tpa of process CO2 produced during the manufacture of lime.

The lime plant would use clean hydrogen to fuel the kiln, eliminating CO2 emissions that would otherwise result from the use of traditional carbon-based fuels.

Leilac CEO Daniel Rennie said: “As an essential material across a range of industries, the decarbonisation of lime is an important enabling step towards low and zero carbon industry.

“Demonstrating a viable and low-cost approach for the abatement of unavoidable emissions and the use of alternative clean fuel sources can provide a pathway for zero emissions lime that balances social, economic and environmental sustainability.”

The UK has legally binding net zero targets which will require ground-breaking technologies to achieve.

High purity limes are essential for everyday life due to their use in pharmaceuticals and water purification.

The project is part of the HyNet cluster, a leading UK industrial decarbonisation project, and forms part of the UK Government’s plans to accelerate decarbonisation ambitions and kick start the hydrogen economy.

Further reading:
CALIX LOW EMISSIONS CEMENT TECHNOLOGY GETS GREEN LIGHT
CALIX RAISES FUNDS FOR BORAL AND ADBRI LOW-EMISSION INDUSTRIAL PLANTS

Picture: Calix/