Radix has entered into a partnership with Repsol Sinopec Brasil and the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS) to develop DAC Twins, a digital twin of a direct air carbon capture unit (DAC – Direct Air Capture) installed on the university's campus in Porto Alegre (RS). The collaboration takes place under the Research, Development and Innovation (PD&I) clause of the National Agency of Petroleum, Natural Gas and Biofuels (ANP).

The project envisions the creation of a digital environment capable of reproducing, in real time, the behavior of a DAC reactor, with a nominal capacity to capture 15 tons of CO₂ per year.

This is a complete digital twin, which will allow not only monitoring and simulating the process, but also interacting with the physical plant, enabling remote control of the process and adjustment of operational parameters.

Radix will develop a digital twin of the plant combining mathematical modeling, artificial intelligence algorithms, and operational interfaces. The differentiator will be the use of a hybrid approach, which integrates phenomenological models, based on physical and chemical principles of the process, with data-driven models and machine learning. This combination increases the accuracy of simulations and the predictive capability of the tool.

The system will function as a "virtual laboratory," in which it will be possible to test operational scenarios, predict failures, simulate interventions, and evaluate technology expansion strategies before their application in the real system.

"This digital twin will allow us to deeply understand the direct air capture process in a safe and controlled environment, reducing uncertainties and increasing the speed of technology evolution. This is an important step toward enabling large-scale decarbonization solutions by integrating engineering, data science, and process knowledge," says Hudson Carminati, PD&I coordinator at Radix.

DAC technology makes it possible to remove CO₂ directly from the atmosphere, regardless of the emission source, which expands its application potential and scalability. Unlike solutions focused solely on reducing industrial emissions, direct capture is modular, scalable, and has unlimited potential for removing CO₂ from the air.

"DAC Twins will contribute to the consolidation and improvement of DAC technology in the country, which has already been recognized in the PD&I circuit, such as the recent ANP Technological Innovation award. This is an example of the importance of continuing to invest in scaling the technology as a way to enable more solid decarbonization processes," says Cassiane Nunes, Research Portfolio Support Manager at Repsol Sinopec Brasil.

"This new project, in partnership with Repsol Sinopec and Radix, is fundamental for the maturation of DAC technology in the South American scenario. By integrating advanced digital solutions and process optimization, we accelerate technological advancement and establish the foundations for consolidating new competencies and a national supply chain, covering requirements for equipment, services, and human resources. This is a strategic move that transforms data into operational intelligence, enables low-carbon businesses, and strengthens Brazil's leading role in innovation of low-carbon products and processes," emphasizes Felipe Dalla Vecchia, Director of the Institute of Petroleum and Natural Resources at PUCRS (IPR).

In addition to optimizing the operation of the 15TA DAC reactor, the virtual environment will enable scalability studies for the other DAC modules already installed and in assisted operation phase on the PUCRS campus, such as the DAC 300TA experimental plant, which totals a nominal capture capacity of 300 tons of CO₂ per year.

About Radix – Founded in 2010, Radix is a technology solutions and services company with global operations, empowering its clients through consulting, engineering, operational technology, and digital solutions. Radix combines integrated competencies and practices to drive its clients' technological journey around the world. Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, with offices in São Paulo and Belo Horizonte, as well as a U.S. headquarters in Houston, Texas, Radix offers technology and data-driven solutions for asset-intensive industries. Radix's operations already span more than 40 countries. Learn more on the Radix website.