Energy transition in flow control – Carbon capture success with a partner

Energy transition and the move towards greener energy production is a hot topic globally. Flow control customers are also exploring and investing in new ways to produce more sustainable energy. A few years ago, the major boom in energy transition was all about green hydrogen, and it received even more attention two years ago when the energy crisis happened in Europe. To achieve the climate targets, there’s now a lot more focus on carbon capture, which means a mix of various carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies. Valves can play a critical role in achieving winning steps in these projects.

Over the years, the flow control business and industries involved have changed. We have seen customers focusing more on the green transition, which has set requirements for engineering excellence. Projects have become larger and more complex. With our certified partner Grønbech, we have already supplied several flow control products for the energy transition. It is important that we can deliver components that can match the state-of-the-art projects we have recently seen arising

A while ago, Valmet and Grønbech reported that we had delivered 20 control valves for a CCUS project in Denmark. The project is part of an initiative to help the Danish government meet its target of a 70 percent reduction in CO₂ emissions in the country by 2030. Our long-term partner Grønbech played a significant role in this project, and our goal together is to help our customers move forward with their future energy plans. The solutions delivered are essential on the customer site. “Our combined extensive knowledge of different applications and different medias ensures our custo­mers have the best solution for their projects. Normally, we work closely with our customers to clarify expectations and analyze the core demand from them. It is important for Grønbech that our customers get the best possible solution,” says Morten Rasch, Division Manager Energy & Industry at Grønbech.

About the project

For this CCUS project in Denmark, the customer chose Valmet’s Neles™ segment valves. These valves are utilized in various applications controlling the flow of different mediums under highly varying pressures and temperatures. Valves play a crucial role in managing the flow of air and liquids involved in carbon capture and transportation processes. The customer’s selection of these valves was influenced by several factors, including:

• Reliability: Ensuring consistent performance during operations.
• Ease of maintenance: Facilitating quick and efficient maintenance, reducing downtime.
• Precise flow control: Allowing accurate control of flow, which is vital for process efficiency.
• Operational capability: Their ability to function under high pressures and temperatures enhances operational efficiency.

There were previously some challenges in the customer’s CCUS processes. The delivered Neles segment valves address these challenges by providing improved flow control and reduced maintenance needs. “The product’s design ensures reliable operation under the pressure and temperature conditions typical of CCUS applications. Additionally, the valve’s modular construction allows easy maintenance and part replacement, further enhancing its reliability and efficiency in carbon capture, utilization, and storage systems,” says Torben Juel, Key Account Manager at Grønbech. To have the right products, customers have the opportunity to achieve improved operational efficiency and reduce downtime.

There’s a lot going on in energy transition, with many projects in different phases. At Valmet, we have decades of history in the flow control of hydrogen and carbon dioxide processes. “We see Valmet’s portfolio of high-quality flow control solutions as key to succeeding in the future energy transition, including hydrogen production and carbon capture, as it is a demanding and sometimes complex field to operate in. With Valmet’s portfolio, we can ensure our customers high-quality products.”, concludes Rasch.