A review of catalytically enhanced CO2-rich amine solutions regeneration

Abstract

Global warming, primarily caused by greenhouse gas emissions, is a serious issue, and carbon capture from point sources is gaining attention as a potential solution. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) using amine-based absorption is a mature industrial technique for capturing anthropogenic and native CO2, but its energy-intensive nature and high costs limit its widespread implementation. Despite extensive research on amine-based chemical absorption for CO2 capture, there is little information about the energy-intensive solvent regeneration process. A potential solution to minimize the energy requirement for solvent regeneration is the use of nano-catalytic materials in solvents. Experimental studies have shown that nano-catalysts can increase CO2 desorption and decrease solvent regeneration energy costs. Therefore, a review of catalytically enhanced CO2 desorption with efficient solvent blends is necessary. This study aims to review the physicochemical properties of different catalysts and recent advances in nanomaterials for catalyst-assisted solvent regeneration. It also reviews the basics of the regeneration mechanism for catalyzing CO2 desorption using different materials based on their textural characteristics. The advantages, disadvantages, and challenges of each heterogeneous catalysts are explored in depth, and a clear pathway for future research is presented. Additionally, the study discusses identifying or producing new nanomaterials and determining the optimal solvent blends to enhance CO2 desorption catalytically while consuming minimal energy for solvent regeneration. By exploring these aspects, this study aims to provide valuable insights for researchers and engineers working towards the development of more efficient and cost-effective carbon capture and storage technologies.