2025 AIChE Annual Meeting

(269g) Amino-Acid Based Direct Air Capture Under Sub-Ambient Conditions

Authors

Radu Custelcean, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Sotira Yiacoumi, Georgia Institute of Technology
Costas Tsouris, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Geological and climatic conditions critically shape the feasibility of direct air capture (DAC) deployment by influencing both energy availability and CO₂ sequestration potential. Seasonal temperature extremes, particularly sub-zero and high temperatures, present operational challenges for aqueous solvent-based systems. This study evaluates the performance of high-flux DAC systems using antifreeze amino acid solvent formulations under two extreme temperature regimes: (i) cold climates (< 0 °C) and (ii) hot environments (> 30 °C). A parametric investigation was conducted in a bench-scale crossflow absorber at air velocities exceeding 1 m/s, assessing CO₂ removal efficiency, uptake capacity, and reaction kinetics. A mass transfer model was developed to inform scale-up design, and machine learning techniques were employed to identify key variables influencing capture performance. Results highlight temperature and air velocity as primary drivers of efficiency, while variations in liquid-to-gas ratio offer only marginal gains under high-flux conditions. A technoeconomic analysis based on experimental data examines the feasibility of solvent-based DAC in cold regions. These findings provide critical insights into enabling DAC deployment in geologically and climatically constrained environments, contributing to the advancement of resilient and scalable carbon capture solutions.