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Engineering, Optimization and Scale-Up

With more than 30 years of experience in industrial CO2-based processes, including the biggest and most efficient plants in the world, Natex offers extensive experience and know-how in the field of Engineering, Optimization, and Scale-Up. This knowledge is available for all types of CO2-based projects, including:

Engineering studies

Industrial supercritical CO2 extraction plants above a few hundred liters of process volume or other process plants are typically not available off the shelf and therefore need to be engineered based on the material and process data. During an engineering study, we develop all the technical documents which become available for further decision-making and to get authorities’ approval for building your individual supercritical CO2 process plant. The documents which are provided are also individually agreed upon but typically include:

  • Process descriptions including a concept for material handling

  • Process flow diagrams for the CO2 and utilities

  • Data on energy and CO2 consumption

  • Equipment specifications

  • Layouts including equipment weight

  • Utilities specifications

  • Options for potential investments like advanced CO2 or energy recovery systems

  • Detailed investment information for the individual solution and its options

Economic evaluations of processes

The economic situation of individual and industrial CO2-based process plants is unique for each project but is essential for its long-term success. Natex can provide the important economic information on such plants at every scale. This includes CAPEX (Capital Expenditures) or the investment costs which should be expected and OPEX (Operational Expenditures) of high-pressure CO2 process plants for extraction or other processes. The values are individually calculated, based on process conditions, material information, and even external factors like temperature, and include the following:

  • Investment for high-pressure CO2 process equipment

  • Investment for utilities, material transport, installation, and building

  • Electrical consumption

  • Thermal consumption

  • CO2 consumption and optional investments to minimize those

  • Labor requirements

  • Spare parts and service costs

Such information can be provided at every stage of a project evaluation and the accuracy increases with each new step that generates more data.

Optimization of existing processes and plants

High-pressure CO2 extraction plants are typically very durable equipment and can stay in operation for 40 years or more. During such a long time in operation, new technologies and possibilities emerge, new insights are gained, or the surrounding economic situation might change. This can lead to potential improvements in efficiency, or the desire to increase safety, modernize, or process new material. Natex offers these services not just for its own equipment but for every type of high-pressure CO2 processing plant that can benefit from our expertise.