TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - A research team from the Energy Conversion Technology Research Center (PRTKE) of Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is currently developing an innovation for a liquid-based carbon dioxide (CO) capture reactor. The flexible design of the reactor is intended to reduce carbon emissions from the industrial sector and fossil-based energy generation.
Asep Rachmat, a Senior Expert Engineer at PRTKE BRIN and the head of the research team, stated that this technology is crucial to develop, given the limited research on carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) systems designed specifically for domestic industrial exhaust gas characteristics. Currently, Indonesia is still dependent on imported technology.
"The developed innovation adopts a modular design concept, allowing reactor units to be built separately and then assembled according to capacity needs and land limitations at industrial facilities," Asep said in a written statement on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
The liquid-based CO capture reactor is projected to be integrated with existing installations without requiring major changes. This design also creates opportunities for developing hybrid systems that combine different CO absorption mechanisms. "Moreover, it also encourages the use of alternative absorption liquids that are more environmentally friendly," Asep added.
According to Asep, the reactor works like a sophisticated filter that utilizes the interaction between gas and liquid. Industrial exhaust gases containing CO are directed from the bottom of the reactor. The flow moves upwards and meets the absorption liquid flowing from the top. The absorption process occurs at the point of intersection, capturing the CO by the liquid. This results in the release of gas with significantly lower carbon content into the atmosphere.
Research on this new reactor is part of the Sustainable Energy program with multi-year funding. During the first stage of 2025, the team focused on creating a laboratory-scale prototype of the absorber unit, the main component of the CO capture system. "In the future, this technology is targeted to be tested at an industrial scale in 2029," Asep noted.
In developing the prototype, BRIN collaborated with PT Eksperta Adi Manusa and the University of Indonesia. This state research agency also engaged a team of cross-disciplinary researchers, namely Donny Triana, Arief Surachman, Mahi Ghiyast Arroqi, Tata Sutardi, Rendi Januardi, Esti Mega Maulidayanti, Desi Kurniawati, Chairunnisa, Topan Frans Saputra, Yusuf Ahda, Muhammad Penta Helios, Ilham Arnif, and Sri Wijayanti.
Through the development of this modular CO capture reactor technology, Asep continued, BRIN is driving the national industry's transformation towards cleaner and more sustainable production systems. "We also hope that this innovation can make a real contribution to preserving the environment for future generations," he said.
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