Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents

This study investigates the impact of steam desorption on the CO₂ co-adsorption kinetics of amine-functionalized sorbents for direct air capture applications. Amine-based sorbents are highly selective for CO₂ and effective in capturing it at low ambient concentrations, making them ideal for DAC. How...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Florian M. Chimani, Josef Fuchs, Andreas Wallmüller, Jean Pierre Matriciani, Gerhard Schöny, Stefan Müller
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2025-10-01
Series:Journal of CO2 Utilization
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982025001684
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849736553757147136
author Florian M. Chimani
Josef Fuchs
Andreas Wallmüller
Jean Pierre Matriciani
Gerhard Schöny
Stefan Müller
author_facet Florian M. Chimani
Josef Fuchs
Andreas Wallmüller
Jean Pierre Matriciani
Gerhard Schöny
Stefan Müller
author_sort Florian M. Chimani
collection DOAJ
description This study investigates the impact of steam desorption on the CO₂ co-adsorption kinetics of amine-functionalized sorbents for direct air capture applications. Amine-based sorbents are highly selective for CO₂ and effective in capturing it at low ambient concentrations, making them ideal for DAC. However, desorption methods, particularly under varying humidity conditions, significantly influence sorbent performance and efficiency. This research compares the effects of nitrogen and steam desorption on CO₂ adsorption kinetics, with a focus on the kinetic advantage provided by steam's residual moisture left on the adsorbent. Experimental adsorption and desorption processes were conducted in a custom-built DAC unit, using Lewatit VP OC 1065 as the sorbent material. The linear driving force model, combined with the Weighted Average Dual-Site Toth model, was applied to predict adsorption behavior, incorporating the Toth and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer parameters from previous studies. Results demonstrate that steam desorption significantly enhances initial CO₂ adsorption rates and equilibrium capacities across humidity levels compared to N₂ desorption. Notably, steam desorption leaves residual moisture on the sorbent, which primes the material for rapid CO₂ uptake in the subsequent adsorption phase, especially under low-humidity conditions. These findings suggest that steam desorption not only improves adsorption kinetics but also supports energy-efficient regeneration, positioning it as a favorable option for DAC systems in arid climates. The study highlights the potential of optimizing desorption methods to improve operational efficiency and capture performance in DAC applications.
format Article
id doaj-art-976dd6e26fbb45a2a2adf041a7b4cf33
institution DOAJ
issn 2212-9839
language English
publishDate 2025-10-01
publisher Elsevier
record_format Article
series Journal of CO2 Utilization
spelling doaj-art-976dd6e26fbb45a2a2adf041a7b4cf332025-08-20T03:07:14ZengElsevierJournal of CO2 Utilization2212-98392025-10-0110010318410.1016/j.jcou.2025.103184Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbentsFlorian M. Chimani0Josef Fuchs1Andreas Wallmüller2Jean Pierre Matriciani3Gerhard Schöny4Stefan Müller5Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaCorresponding author.; Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaInstitute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaInstitute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaInstitute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaInstitute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering, TU Wien, Getreidemarkt 9/166, Wien 1060, AustriaThis study investigates the impact of steam desorption on the CO₂ co-adsorption kinetics of amine-functionalized sorbents for direct air capture applications. Amine-based sorbents are highly selective for CO₂ and effective in capturing it at low ambient concentrations, making them ideal for DAC. However, desorption methods, particularly under varying humidity conditions, significantly influence sorbent performance and efficiency. This research compares the effects of nitrogen and steam desorption on CO₂ adsorption kinetics, with a focus on the kinetic advantage provided by steam's residual moisture left on the adsorbent. Experimental adsorption and desorption processes were conducted in a custom-built DAC unit, using Lewatit VP OC 1065 as the sorbent material. The linear driving force model, combined with the Weighted Average Dual-Site Toth model, was applied to predict adsorption behavior, incorporating the Toth and Guggenheim-Anderson-de Boer parameters from previous studies. Results demonstrate that steam desorption significantly enhances initial CO₂ adsorption rates and equilibrium capacities across humidity levels compared to N₂ desorption. Notably, steam desorption leaves residual moisture on the sorbent, which primes the material for rapid CO₂ uptake in the subsequent adsorption phase, especially under low-humidity conditions. These findings suggest that steam desorption not only improves adsorption kinetics but also supports energy-efficient regeneration, positioning it as a favorable option for DAC systems in arid climates. The study highlights the potential of optimizing desorption methods to improve operational efficiency and capture performance in DAC applications.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982025001684Direct air captureCO2 adsorptionSteam desorptionAdsorption kineticsNegative emissions technologyLewatit VP OC 1065
spellingShingle Florian M. Chimani
Josef Fuchs
Andreas Wallmüller
Jean Pierre Matriciani
Gerhard Schöny
Stefan Müller
Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
Journal of CO2 Utilization
Direct air capture
CO2 adsorption
Steam desorption
Adsorption kinetics
Negative emissions technology
Lewatit VP OC 1065
title Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
title_full Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
title_fullStr Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
title_full_unstemmed Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
title_short Enhancing CO₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture: The role of steam desorption in amine-based anion exchange sorbents
title_sort enhancing co₂ adsorption kinetics in direct air capture the role of steam desorption in amine based anion exchange sorbents
topic Direct air capture
CO2 adsorption
Steam desorption
Adsorption kinetics
Negative emissions technology
Lewatit VP OC 1065
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2212982025001684
work_keys_str_mv AT florianmchimani enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents
AT joseffuchs enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents
AT andreaswallmuller enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents
AT jeanpierrematriciani enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents
AT gerhardschony enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents
AT stefanmuller enhancingco2adsorptionkineticsindirectaircapturetheroleofsteamdesorptioninaminebasedanionexchangesorbents