Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas, with nearly 273 times the global warming potential of carbon dioxide. In the UK, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are responsible for around 75--80% of the sector's direct process emissions, primarily from aeration tanks during biological nitrogen removal. Despite its significant climate impact, N₂O remains one of the least addressed greenhouse gases in the water sector, with no scalable solutions for capture or reuse. The project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a solid sorbent-based system capable of capturing N₂O directly from wastewater aeration exhaust streams and enabling its reuse within bio-based production chains. This represents a new approach to tackling "hard-to-abate" process emissions using compact, modular, and regenerative capture units. Building on technology previously validated in the rail and maritime sectors through Innovate UK funding, the project will adapt H-DEUX's solid sorbent capture platform to humid, low-concentration N₂O environments typical of wastewater treatment processes. The system operates cyclically, adsorbing N₂O from aeration exhaust gases and regenerating the sorbent using low-grade heat, allowing for continuous operation and minimal energy demand. Working with Jacobs' water process experts, the project will assess site-specific emission profiles, evaluate capture performance under variable operating conditions, and model the potential for downstream reuse. Captured N₂O can be converted into nitrate or ammonium through catalytic or biocatalytic processes, supporting the development of bio-fertiliser or nutrient recovery systems---closing the nitrogen loop and aligning with the principles of the circular bioeconomy. If successful, the technology could reduce over 1.2 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent annually across the UK water sector while creating new value chains for sustainable nitrogen recovery. The project directly supports the UK's Net Zero 2030 water industry roadmap, the DEFRA circular economy strategy, and the UK Industrial Strategy's clean growth mission. This feasibility study represents an important step towards scalable, low-cost, and circular solutions for greenhouse gas mitigation in the UK's critical infrastructure sectors.

The maritime sector plays a vital role in global trade and economic development but remains one of the most challenging sectors to decarbonise. With growing pressure from international regulations and public demand for environmental stewardship, there is a critical need for innovative solutions that can drastically reduce harmful emissions from ships---particularly for short-sea and regional vessels operating around UK and European waters. This project brings together a collaborative team consisting of H-DEUX (technology provider), Scotline (vessel operator), Solis Marine (naval architecture consultancy), and Better Boats (3rd-party-class-advisory) to assess the feasibility of deploying PureMarine on board <5000-tonne Scotline's general cargo vessels. PureMarine is designed to capture a wide range of harmful pollutants including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO₂), and nitrous oxide (N₂O) directly from the ship's exhaust stream. These pollutants contribute significantly to climate change, air quality degradation, and regulatory non-compliance. Unlike traditional systems that target single pollutants, PureMarine offers a compact, integrated solution that is both space-efficient and cost-effective---making it especially suited for vessels with limited retrofit flexibility. The feasibility study will explore the technical and economic viability of integrating the PureMarine system into Scotline's vessel operations. This includes performance assessments using real-world emission data, naval architecture assessments to ensure safe integration, and early engagement with Better Boats (3rd-party-class-advisory) to identify regulatory pathways. The project aims to define a clear route toward Approval in Principle (AiP), setting the stage for a future full-scale demonstration. In doing so, the consortium will deliver a scalable, class-compliant emission reduction solution tailored to the unique demands of short-sea shipping. This project not only supports the UK's Clean Maritime Plan and Net Zero Strategy, but also strengthens collaboration across the UK's maritime innovation ecosystem. The outcomes will include a validated design, commercialisation roadmap, and clear technical pathway for reducing maritime greenhouse gas emissions. The project will also generate valuable knowledge on integration feasibility, which will be shared with the wider maritime industry and regulatory stakeholders to accelerate clean shipping transitions.

Railways are a critical component of global transportation, yet diesel-powered locomotives are significant contributors to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. During fuel combustion, diesel locomotives release a range of harmful pollutants, including nitrogen oxides (NOx), carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrous oxide (N2O), particulate matter (PM) and hydrocarbons. These emissions pose severe risks to both the environment and public health, necessitating the development of advanced emission capture technologies for modern rail operations. CO2 and N2O emissions contribute heavily to the greenhouse effect, accelerating climate change. Meanwhile, NOx, PM, and hydrocarbons are linked to poor air quality, leading to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and premature deaths. As global regulations become stricter, it is increasingly vital to reduce emissions from the rail sector. Diesel-powered locomotives, in particular, require innovative solutions to mitigate their environmental impact and meet the evolving standards set by international bodies like the International Union of Railways (UIC) and national environmental agencies. Our cutting-edge technology is designed to address this urgent need by capturing harmful emissions at the source. Here's what sets our approach apart: * **Comprehensive Emission Capture:** Our system efficiently captures a wide spectrum of emissions---NOx, CO2, N2O---using a single, integrated process. This eliminates the need for multiple after-treatment systems, simplifying locomotive retrofitting and improving overall operational efficiency. * **Cost-Effective Solution:** By combining multiple pollutant capture capabilities into one system, we drastically reduce the need for separate technologies, leading to significant cost savings for rail operators. * **Sustainable Design:** Our technology is not only effective but also affordable, leveraging smart design principles and sustainable materials to ensure long-term viability and minimal environmental impact. * **Value from Waste:** Captured emissions are not simply treated as waste. Our system provides opportunities to reuse captured pollutants, turning environmental liabilities into potential economic assets. * **Compact Design:** Our system's design makes it ideal for a variety of locomotive sizes. * **Regulatory Compliance:** FlexiCapture meets global rail emission standards, helping operators stay compliant with tightening regulations and avoiding costly fines. * **Adaptable and Scalable Design:** FlexiCapture can easily be integrated into new and existing locomotives with minimal modifications. This innovative solution presents a multi-faceted approach to achieving near-zero emissions in rail operations. By capturing harmful pollutants at the source, reducing operational costs, and creating potential economic benefits through the reuse of emissions, our project is paving the way for a cleaner, more sustainable future in global transportation.