In the quest to decarbonize industry, a team of researchers led by Luca Riboldi from SINTEF Energy Research in Trondheim, Norway, has been exploring a promising avenue: hybrid CO₂ capture processes. Their recent study, published in the journal “Carbon Capture Science and Technology,” delves into the techno-economic potential of these hybrid processes, offering insights that could shape the future of industrial decarbonization.
The study focuses on four hybrid processes: vacuum pressure swing adsorption (VPSA)-membrane, membrane-VPSA, VPSA-CO₂ liquefaction, and membrane-CO₂ liquefaction. These hybrids combine two technologies to perform CO₂ separation, aiming to optimize each technology’s performance and result in cost-effective CO₂ capture solutions.
Riboldi and his team developed a consistent techno-economic optimization framework to identify the optimal process characteristics and associated minimum cost for each case. They compared the performances of these hybrid processes against conventional standalone capture technologies—VPSA, membranes, and chemical absorption.
The results are promising, particularly for medium-to-high CO₂ concentrations (around 13–30% CO₂), where costs in the range of 40–70 €/tCO₂ appear achievable. However, the study also found that even with varying electricity prices and emission intensities, chemical absorption and membranes remain the most cost-efficient processes in most cases. Hybrid processes were found to be at least 15% more expensive.
“Hybrid processes show promising results for specific conditions, but they are not yet the most cost-effective solution across the board,” Riboldi explained. “However, our sensitivity analysis showed that changing material properties within relevant boundaries could significantly modify the relative performance. This suggests that with further advancements in material science, hybrid processes like VPSA-membrane could become potentially attractive solutions, with the potential to decrease costs by more than 10% under specific industrial conditions.”
The study highlights the significant impact of material properties on the expected performance of these processes. As Riboldi noted, “The material properties of membranes and adsorbents proved to have a substantial influence on the expected performance. This underscores the importance of continued research and development in this area.”
The findings of this study could shape future developments in the field of CO₂ capture, particularly in the design and implementation of hybrid processes. As industries strive to meet increasingly stringent emission regulations, the insights from this research could help guide the development of more efficient and cost-effective CO₂ capture technologies.
In the broader context, this research is a step towards more sustainable industrial practices. By exploring the potential of hybrid CO₂ capture processes, Riboldi and his team are contributing to the global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change. Their work serves as a reminder that while challenges remain, innovative solutions are on the horizon, and continued research and development are key to unlocking their potential.
As the energy sector continues to evolve, the insights from this study could play a crucial role in shaping the future of industrial decarbonization. By understanding the techno-economic potential of hybrid CO₂ capture processes, industries can make more informed decisions about their decarbonization strategies, ultimately contributing to a more sustainable future.