New catalyst produces sulfur-free CO2 from Icelandic geothermal facility

Icelandic geothermal power company HS Orka hf has signed a contract with Topsoe for a plant to transform excess CO₂ into a commercial product. The plant is the first to use Topsoe’s new selective oxidation catalyst SMC™ to remove sulfur from CO₂ – which is an attractive commercial opportunity for many geothermal power plants around the world.

Geothermal heat sources around the world are utilized for green power production but can also deliver commercially attractive CO₂. However, the valuable gas is typically polluted by sulfur that prevents its industrial use and also can cause unpleasant odor. Topsoe’s new selective oxidation catalyst SMC™ removes sulfur from the off-gas, eliminates smell, and produces commercial grade CO₂.

“It is our aim and responsibility to fully utilize the environmental and commercial possibilities from the geothermal sources we manage. The agreement with Topsoe should allow us, as we have done with other streams of resources, to exploit the CO₂ sources to its full extent. As an added benefit, the CO₂ will be made available in the local market,” says Kristín Vala Matthíasdóttir, VP Resource Park, HS Orka hf.

The new SMC™ catalyst will be at the core of a new demonstration plant that will be placed next to HS Orka’s existing geothermal power plant at Svartsengi, Iceland. The plant will process 10% of the total off-gas stream to produce commercial grade CO₂. HS Orka will market the CO₂ to local greenhouses and algae producers, who can grow products for export and local consumption even in the dark Icelandic winter, aided by high CO₂ levels in the greenhouses and low cost electric lighting and heat, all from green geothermal power.

The contract is for a lease agreement based on an integrated solution from Topsoe that delivers engineering and process design, equipment and complete services, including remote monitoring and catalyst replacement. HS Orka pays Topsoe per ton CO₂ that meets the purity requirement.

The Icelandic market has potential for more projects using Topsoe’s SMC™ catalyst, which is also relevant at geothermal power production plants around the world.

Press Contacts
Svend Ravn, Media Relations Manager,
Haldor Topsoe
Phone: +45 22 75 43 58

Kristín Vala Matthíasdóttir, VP Resource Park,
HS Orka
Phone: +354-855-9353

 About HS Orka hf

HS Orka hf is the largest privately owned power company in Iceland and has vast experience in harnessing renewable ground resources. The company exploits renewable groundwater and geothermal resources, generates electricity, potable groundwater, potable district heating water, and industrial steam and geothermal gas. It operates two power plants:
- Svartsengi Power Plant, installed power is 75 MW and 150 MW
- Reykjanes Power Plant, installed power is 100 MW

HS Orka hf has been operating since 1975 and is a leading member of The Icelandic Deep Drilling Project (IDDP).