Sub-Project II: Device Research

Sub project II explores and compares three technical approaches to capture CO₂ from the ambient air and their scale-up. Exploration of the adsorbent path (1) includes materials synthesis, and characterization, system-level simulations, as well as system design and demonstration in a mini-plant. The membrane adsorbent path (2) studies the application of highly porous material containing functional groups working as adsorption sites. The electro swing approach (3) investigates the use of electrochemistry for the sorbent regeneration step. This approach requires only electrical energy for the regeneration step, without the need for a heat source.

Adsorbent Path:

Adsorption is currently the most frequently utilized DAC technology, although its high energy demand represents a major obstacle for scale-up. Process analysis will determine the energy demand as a function of the ambient conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity) and selected adsorbents will be investigated and tested in a mini plant.

Sub-Project II: Device Research — Material parameters for process analysis.

Membrane Adsorbent Path:

With the membrane separation approach, hollow fiber membrane adsorber units with highly porous material are used. The material contains functional groups, which function as adsorption sites.

Electro Swing Approach:

The electrochemical process requires only electrical energy for the regeneration step, without the need for a heat source. Investigation of 3 concepts:

1. Amino acid

2. EMAR

3. Polymer

Industry Offers

Simulation of HVAC 2.0 systems with built-in DAC units

Characterization of structured packings and solvents for CO2 absorption from air

Global Analysis of Energy Supply and Demand of Direct Air Capture (DAC) Plants

Identify the best materials to capture and convert CO2

Sub-project lead

Prof. Dr. Ralf Peters

Institute of Energy Technologies, Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik (IET-4), Forschungszentrum Jülich

E-Mail: ra.peters@fz-juelich.de

Partners working on this sub-project:

Forschungszentrum Jülich

Institute of Energy Technologies, Elektrochemische Verfahrenstechnik (IET-4)
Institute of Energy Materials and Devices, Werkstoffsynthese und Herstellungsverfahren (IMD-2)