Carbon Capture by Phase Change Absorption

Abstract

Application of phase change materials for carbon capture has emerged as one of the promising methods to reduce the concentrations of CO2 in the environment. In a typical phase change absorption process, the capture of CO2 results in a change in the phase of the absorbent. This is a reversible technique wherein the desorption of CO2 leads to regeneration of the phase changing material, thus making it a green and energy efficient process. The captured carbon can further be utilized as a feedstock for producing value added chemicals and fuels. This book chapter addresses the use of phase changing absorption as a tool to capture carbon for further storage or utilization. Absorbents which capture carbon through a liquid-liquid or liquid-solid phase change including amines, amino acids, iminoguanidine salts and ionic liquids have been reviewed along with the advantages and disadvantages accompanying their use. The challenges and outlooks on phase change absorbents for carbon capture on an industrial scale have been discussed.