Work

Comparative Screening of MDEA, TSA and PSA/VPSA for CO2 Capture Upstream of Artificial Photosynthesis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Capturing CO2 upstream of artificial photosynthesis is worthwhile only if the utility emissions of the capture step do not offset the captured mass. This study compares 30 wt% methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) absorption, temperature swing adsorption (TSA) and pressure/vacuum pressure swing adsorption (PSA/VPSA) on zeolite 13X for a pretreated dry feed containing 35 mol% CO2, combining process simulation, energy analysis, gate-to-gate life-cycle assessment (LCA) and an operating-expenditure (OPEX) screen per kilogram of captured CO2. MDEA achieved 95% recovery and approximately 95% wet-product purity with 3.96 MJ kg−1 of regeneration heat and a climate impact of 0.712 kg CO2-eq kg−1. Raising the TSA regeneration temperature from 383 to 450 K increased recovery from 80.5% to 94.5% and purity from 91.0% to 95.5%, but also heat demand (from 6.78 to 7.75 MJ kg−1) and climate impact (from 0.964 to 1.100 kg CO2-eq kg−1). PSA/VPSA at 3 bar feed and 0.11 bar evacuation gave the lowest climate impact (0.294 kg CO2-eq kg−1) and OPEX (approximately €0.100 kg−1), with 88.9% recovery and 92.8% purity. The ranking applies to the dry, CO2-enriched feed and the European utility mix considered; untreated flue gas, other solvents and full-chain conversion require separate assessment.

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en19204873

Authors: Kevin Virdiglione, Rossella Girimonte, Flaviano Testa, Alessio Caravella, Daniele Sofia

Institution: University of Calabria

Language: English

Topic: Carbon Dioxide Capture Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $3,137