By 2029, Denmark aims to capture and store at least 2.3 million tons of CO2 annually as part of its climate initiatives. This places significant demands on infrastructure which represents one of the largest costs associated with CO2 capture and storage at both national and international levels. Developing effective solutions that maximize investment returns will be essential.
A team of researchers and engineers from Aarhus University, BlueNord, DTU Offshore, Nordsøfonden, and TotalEnergies is addressing this challenge through the CORROPro innovation project. They have developed a coating for steel structures based on nanofilament technology, which protects pipelines and other costly infrastructure from corrosion.
"We hope this technology can extend the lifespan of pipelines by several decades, significantly reducing costs associated with CO2 infrastructure," says Tobias Weidner, project leader for CORROPro and associate professor at Aarhus University’s Department of Chemistry.
"Our laboratory tests show very promising results, with tests in clean water reducing corrosion by up to 99.1%, while also reducing scale buildup by 75%. We believe this technology has strong potential to protect pipelines during the transport of CO2-rich water in the future," adds Weidner.
Learning from nature
Nanofilament is a relatively new technology inspired by the unique structures on the skin of springtails – tiny arthropods that thrive in moist environments. These creatures have a remarkable ability to repel water, thanks to their skin, which is covered with microscopic hairs and nanostructures that naturally resist liquid contact.
This technology is already used in industries such as pharmaceuticals and electronics, where its water-repellent properties protect delicate surfaces from moisture and liquids. In the CORROPro project, nanofilament technology has been further developed to protect steel structures in CO2 infrastructure. It prevents corrosion and calcification, which can otherwise degrade pipeline performance and reduce their lifespan.
"When CO2 is mixed with water to facilitate transport, it creates an acidic environment that corrodes the steel in pipelines. At the same time, calcification builds up, which can block pipes and reduce their performance. Our nanofilament coating acts as an effective barrier against both problems, significantly extending the lifespan of pipelines," explains Weidner.
Advancing from Research to Application
CORROPro is anchored in the INNO-CCUS partnership, which focuses on advancing technologies for CO2 capture, storage, and utilization through targeted research and innovation. After promising laboratory results in clean water, the CORROPro team now plans to test the nanofilament coating in more realistic conditions, where CO2 and water are combined, to evaluate its effectiveness in complex environments. At INNO-CCUS, CORROPro is seen as an important step toward developing solutions that can strengthen the future CO2 infrastructure and make it more economically sustainable.
“Infrastructure is a key element in establishing a CO2 capture and storage industry that can support Denmark’s ambitious climate goals. The promising results from CORROPro demonstrate how research can deliver solutions that make CO2 infrastructure both durable and economically viable,” says Karina Søgaard, Partnership Director at INNO-CCUS.
“We look forward to following the further development of the technology as it moves toward practical testing, bringing us closer to realizing its full potential. These steps will be crucial in ensuring that the technology can play a central role in the future CO2 infrastructure,” she adds.
About INNO-CCUS
INNO-CCUS is one of four state-funded mission-driven green partnerships established to support Denmark’s climate targets. Backed by the Innovation Fund, the partnership includes more than 80 companies, universities, and organizations working together to develop effective, scalable, and economically sustainable technologies for CO2 capture, storage, and utilization (CCUS). INNO-CCUS supports a total of 30 projects focused on research and innovation.
