Han et al. (2025): Energy-efficient direct air capture combining an impeller-based scrubber and anion exchange membrane electrolysis
Sunghyeon Han, Jongmin Jin, Hui Song and Jong-In Han, IN: Chemical Engineering Journal, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2025.171186
Direct air capture (DAC) is a technology developed to remove carbon dioxide (CO₂) directly from the atmosphere. One of the most critical barriers to the commercialization of DAC is the high energy consumption. To address this rather fundamental and critical challenge, this study aims to develop an energy-efficient DAC system that integrates an exceptionally capable impeller-based scrubber for CO₂ absorption with a high-performing electrochemical cell for absorbent regeneration. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were employed to optimize the impeller design, and the results were experimentally validated. For the electrochemical cell, a strategy to minimize resistance and energy consumption was proposed. The integration of the impeller-based scrubber with the electrochemical cell enabled stable operation of the continuous process.