CO2 Post-combustion Capture: A Critical Review of Current Technologies and Future Directions

As the global imperative to CO2 emissions intensifies, carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies, particularly CO2 post-combustion capture, emerge as essential components in the transition toward a sustainable, low-carbon future. This review offers an exhaustive examination of the current state-of-the-art and recent advancements in CO2 post-combustion capture techniques, including absorption, adsorption, membrane and cryogenic technologies. It presents an in-depth analysis aimed at understanding their relative efficiencies, challenges, and potentials in contributing to global CO2 reduction goals. The review methodically evaluates each capture technique, starting with solvent-based absorption, which benefits from extensive research and industrial application but faces challenges, such as a high energy demand for solvent regeneration and environmental concerns. It then transitions to adsorption-based methods, highlighting their advantages in terms of energy efficiency, alongside the development of novel adsorbents that offer improved capacity and selectivity. Membrane technologies are also explored, with a focus on their potential for low-energy separation and the ongoing innovations aimed at enhancing their permeability and selectivity for CO2. Finally, cryogenic separation is discussed for its ability to achieve high-purity CO2 capture through low-temperature processes, addressing specific operational challenges. The review promotes a multidisciplinary approach that combines advancements in chemical engineering, materials science, and environmental policy to accelerate the deployment of efficient and cost-effective CO2 post-combustion capture technologies. Specifically, it emphasizes the need for continued research/development and enhanced collaboration/innovation within the scientific community and industry players to address the scalability, economic viability, and environmental impact of these technologies, ensuring that they can effectively contribute to the decarbonization of the energy sector.