Direct Air Capture: Solvents & Sorbents

Direct Air Capture (DAC): Solvents and Sorbents for CO2

Aug 03, 2026

• Introduction: Thermodynamic challenges of capturing CO2 at ~420 ppm atmospheric concentrations.
• Liquid Solvent Systems:
- Potassium hydroxide (KOH) and calcium hydroxide loops (Climeworks/Carbon Engineering models).
- High-temperature calcination requirements (900°C).
• Solid Sorbent Systems:
- Amine-functionalized silica or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
- Low-temperature vacuum-temperature swing adsorption (100–120°C).
• Chemical Scale-Up Challenges: Degraded sorbent regeneration, energy intensity, and footprint reduction.