CO2-lean air supply technology
Breathe in the pre-industrial air at Wärtsilä STH
Transformed the indoor office environment with HVAC-integrated CO2 capture technology at Wärtsilä’s Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) in Vaasa, Finland
Modern office buildings often struggle to maintain optimal indoor air quality. Limited ventilation options, like sealed windows, can lead to a build-up of CO2. High CO2 levels are linked to:
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Reduced cognitive function
These issues can negatively impact employee well-being and overall productivity. Traditional ventilation methods may not be sufficient, especially in densely populated urban areas.
Soletair Power’s Solution
Soletair Power partnered with Wärtsilä, a global leader in sustainable technology, to install an HVAC-integrated Direct Air Capture (DAC) unit at their Sustainable Technology Hub (STH) in Vaasa, Finland. Working process of the technology is as follows:
- Capturing CO2 directly from incoming ventilation air using proprietary sorbents.
- Regenerating the system through a controlled temperature vacuum swing adsorption process, collecting the captured CO2 for storage.
Benefits Beyond Fresh Air
Soletair Power’s CO2 capture solution offers a multitude of benefits for businesses:
- Enhanced Indoor Air Quality: Significantly reduce CO2 levels, promoting a healthier and more comfortable work environment for employees.
- Improved Cognitive Function: Studies show improved cognitive function with lower CO2 levels, potentially leading to increased productivity.
- Energy Efficiency: Dynamic ventilation control optimizes energy consumption within your existing HVAC system.
- Sustainable Solutions: Align your company with environmental goals by reducing your net carbon footprint and contributing to a greener future.
- Modular Design & Scalability: Our modular design allows for easy installation and integration with existing building automation systems. The captured CO2 can be utilized in various sustainable applications.
Technical Specifications of the Unit:
- Dimensions: 3m x 3m x 3m (L x W x H)
- Capture Capacity: 50 kg/day
- Sorbent Filters: Proprietary amine-functionalized solid sorbents that adsorb CO2 selectively.
- Regeneration Process: Temperature Vacuum Swing Adsorption (TVSA)
- Integration: Compatible with IoT sensors and building automation systems.
Key Benefits:
The HVAC Integrated DAC Unit offers a range of advantages:
- Enhanced Indoor Air Quality: Effective CO2 capture ensures healthier indoor environments, improving employee well-being and cognitive function.
- Energy Efficiency: Dynamic ventilation runtime control reduces HVAC energy costs, optimizing energy consumption and operational efficiency.
- Versatility: Modular design and IoT compatibility allow for easy installation, integration with building automation systems, and potential CO2 utilization in various applications.
- Sustainability: The project aligns with environmental goals by reducing carbon footprints, and promoting sustainable urban development.
CO2 Storage:
In Vaasa, we have a 3.6 cubic meter tank, which is stationary. The ZBT and Vantaa installations have a 12-bottle bundle (https://mygas.airliquide.be/catalog-gas-products/carbon-dioxide/kooldioxide-bundel-v12%2A50l/i5100v12r0a001), which can be easily transported to another site with a truck. The bundle has 360kg of CO2 when it is at 200 bar. Achieving 200 bar requires a compressor capable of doing so, but it is possible with the correct compressor.
Capture CO2 from thin air
Capture CO2 from the air with your building’s existing HVAC system
Supply better air
No more dizziness, fatigue, or reduced cognitive function even in rooms with sealed windows, for example, in hot, cold, or dusty climates
Store captured CO2
Captured Co2 is stored in nearby tanks and can be utilized in producing synthetic materials
Clean air, clear head!…
Capturing CO2 from building ventilation is no gimmick – it’s actually a genuine performance-booster. With less CO2 in the room, your brain moves quicker and ideas are generated more easily. This is also one of the reasons why Wärtsilä thought that the STH Auditorium would be a great place to introduce the innovation: that fresh air might well spark up speakers and listeners alike.
According to estimates, the Direct Air Capture (DAC) of CO2 for the auditorium will result in 50 kilograms of CO2 per day. The big question that follows is, how to utilise the CO2? – After all, CO2 is deployed in industries, such as Food and Construction, and traditionally in greenhouses to make plants grow. High on the list is also the creation of synthetic renewable fuel.
Karimäki and Rapo are convinced that the auditorium’s CO2 will be used in one smart way or another.
“We are presently engaged in various discussions with potential partners in order to find out the next move here,” says Karimäki.
Read more at Wärtsilä's website
Looking for collaboration?
Call us: +358 40 544 5646
Tuotantokatu 2
53850 Lappeenranta
Finland
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