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ExxonMobil Corp. has announced plans to construct a plant at its Rotterdam Manufacturing Complex in the Netherlands, utilizing innovative carbonate fuel cell (CFC) technology. This initiative aims to pioneer carbon emission capture in an industrial setting. The technology for this venture has been co-developed with U.S.-based FuelCell Energy Inc., as revealed in a recent joint statement by the companies.

Carbonate Fuel Technology

The carbonate fuel cell technology is designed to capture CO2 emissions from industrial sources before they are released into the atmosphere. A significant aspect of this technology is its ability to not only capture CO2 but also generate valuable co-products such as low-carbon power, heat, and hydrogen. Geoff Richardson, ExxonMobil's Senior Vice President of Commercial and Business Development for Low Carbon Solutions, emphasized the dual benefit of this technology in a statement.

The pilot plant, operated by ExxonMobil's Esso affiliate in the Netherlands, is strategically located in Rotterdam, a major economic hub and seaport in Northwestern Europe. The primary objective of this pilot is to gather data on the performance and operability of the CFC technology in an industrial environment. It also aims to address potential technical challenges and understand the costs associated with installing and operating a CFC plant for carbon capture.

ExxonMobil envisions, upon successful demonstration, the potential commercialization of this technology across its manufacturing facilities globally. This would enable the company and its customers to significantly reduce emissions. The CO2 captured at the Rotterdam plant is planned to be transported and stored via the Porthos project in Rotterdam, a collaboration involving Air Liquide, Air Products, Shell, and ExxonMobil, ensuring permanent storage beneath the North Sea.

According to the article by Procurement Resource, ExxonMobil Corp. plans to build a pilot plant at its Rotterdam complex in the Netherlands, using carbonate fuel cell technology developed with FuelCell Energy Inc. This technology aims to capture industrial CO2 emissions while producing low-carbon power, heat, and hydrogen. Success could lead to global commercialization and emission reductions.