IDTechEx Explores Innovation in Carbon Capture Technology - Seite 3

Solid sorbents for CO₂ capture include a range of porous, solid-phase materials including mesoporous silicas, zeolites, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Solid sorbents could potentially offer several benefits over solvent-based capture methods. Unlike amine-based solvents, solid sorbents generally do not form chemical bonds with CO₂, reducing the energy needed for sorbent regeneration. Additionally, solid sorbents can offer greater CO₂ selectivities and improved stability compared with solvent-based capture.

However, there are also several disadvantages. Manufacturing costs are likely to be much higher than for simple amines. There are also significant engineering challenges to overcome – many solid-based sorbents have only been tested at the lab scale under ideal conditions, meaning that much R&D is still needed before solid sorbents can become commonplace in commercial-scale carbon capture projects.

Svante is one of the few companies developing commercial-scale solid sorbent-based capture technology. The company's technology captures CO₂ from flue gas, concentrates it, then releases it for storage or utilization, with the process taking only 60 seconds. The company uses nanoscale solid adsorbents with extremely large surface areas to maximize CO₂ absorption, which it claims results in a greater absorption capacity than would be possible using solvents. Although the technology is still in its early stages, having been demonstrated in a 30 tonne/day pilot facility in Saskatchewan, Canada, many in the industry are optimistic about its potential. Svante has raised over $75 million in funding and is engaging in partnerships with several companies across the carbon capture space, including Chevron Technology Ventures, Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, Climeworks, and Opus-12.

Membranes are also a potentially promising option for carbon capture. Because they are passive, relying on diffusion of CO₂, don't use chemicals or moving parts, and don't require regeneration steps, membranes may result in significantly lower operating costs for CO₂ capture compared with solvent or sorbent-based methods. The Polaris membrane, developed by Membrane Technology and Research, Inc. in collaboration with the US Department of Energy, is the first commercial membrane developed specifically for CO₂ capture applications.