In a groundbreaking leap towards sustainable industry practices, Heidelberg Materials’ pioneering project in Brevik reached a pivotal milestone on August 14th. The project, aimed at revolutionizing carbon capture, witnessed the successful installation of a vital component, the absorber, through an intricate and awe-inspiring lift.
Tor Gautestad, the Operational Manager for Brevik CCS, emphasized the significance of this achievement, stating, “Yesterday, we installed the first part of the absorber in the carbon capture plant. The absorber is in many ways the heart of the carbon capture process, because it’s where the flue gases are separated.”
The complex operation showcased the prowess of collaboration and engineering as multiple cranes harmoniously worked together to install the unit. The absorber, weighing approximately 220 tons and standing nearly 50 meters tall, required meticulous planning and execution. Gautestad expressed his satisfaction with the operation, underlining its symbolic importance. He mentioned, “The ongoing operation is symbolic and important. Now everyone can see with their own eyes what we’ve been working so hard on.”
The precision of the lift was astonishing, with a mere 1 mm leeway at the end. Gautestad attributed this success to excellent engineering and collaborative efforts, all while maintaining a paramount focus on safety.
Looking ahead, the project’s momentum remains unwavering. The journey continues next week with another ambitious endeavor—mounting the absorber-stack atop the absorber itself. This step will elevate the absorber’s height to over 100 meters, surpassing even the iconic Big Ben in London. To achieve this remarkable feat, the crane, currently standing at 75 meters, will undergo further elevation to reach an impressive 115 meters.
Gautestad eagerly anticipates the upcoming lift, expressing hope that it will once again captivate the world’s attention and underscore the project’s progression towards establishing the world’s first full-size carbon capture unit at a cement plant. This achievement not only underscores Heidelberg Materials’ commitment to sustainability but also signifies a giant leap towards a greener industrial future.
