From Lab to Fab: Development and Deployment of Direct Air Capture of CO 2

Vahid Barahimi, Monica Ho and Eric Croiset ()
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Vahid Barahimi: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Monica Ho: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada
Eric Croiset: Chemical Engineering Department, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 17, 1-33

Abstract: Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a promising technology to fight climate change by capturing carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the air. For DAC to be a negative emissions technology, the captured CO 2 must be removed permanently, but can also be used as a net-zero technology to produce sustainable chemicals, fuels or other materials. This review presents a comprehensive survey of recent advancements, challenges, and potential applications of DAC technology, with an emphasis on the recent rapid increase in the number of DAC developers, the majority of them being founded in the past 4 years. Through pilot projects and recent commercial deployments, several DAC companies have made significant advances and demonstrated their scalability. Cost and energy efficiency remain significant impediments to the wide deployment of DAC. Integration with emission-free energy sources and utilization of waste heat are being researched to boost the total energy efficiency of DAC systems. Further research of electrochemical technologies for regeneration or direct capture are needed, as well as the development of new, modified, or hybrid adsorbents for improved capture efficiencies. Moreover, favorable regulations and financial incentives are crucial for enhancing the viability of DAC projects and will need to substantially increase if Paris Agreement goals are to be achieved.

Keywords: direct air capture; negative emissions technology; CO 2 capture, utilization, and storage; DAC technology developer; CO 2 capture cost; DAC literature review (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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