Advances in Carbon Control Technologies for Flue Gas Cleaning

Abstract

ABSTRACT Carbon capture technologies are imperative for addressing climate change objectives. Among the available solutions, five post-combustion capture technologies stand out for their efficacy in trapping CO2 from flue gas emissions: chemical absorption, adsorption, membrane separation, cryogenic distillation, and electrochemical processes. Their implementation spans both laboratory investigations and pilot/commercial applications. This review systematically examines these five CO2 capture technologies, emphasizing their progression in industrial applications. Current research endeavors are explored, and pivotal challenges are underscored. When addressed, they can enhance both performance and economic feasibility. Comparative analyses indicate that while adsorption, membrane, and cryogenic processes have seen pilot/commercial applications, chemical absorption is the most cost-effective and established method, accounting for an operational capacity of approximately 50 million tons of CO2 annually. Remarkably, electrochemical devices have exhibited superior performance at the laboratory scale, achieving CO2 removal efficiencies exceeding 98% with a simple activation mechanism. Comprehensive strategies addressing operational costs and device configurations are essential to transition this technology to larger scales.