Holmes et al. (2025): Process systems engineering: a key enabler of adsorption-based direct air capture
Hannah E Holmes, Jinsu Kim and Matthew J Realff, IN: Current Opinion in Chemical Engineering, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.coche.2025.101202
Direct air capture (DAC) is a promising technology for removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. However, its widespread deployment is challenged by high energy requirements, water management, sorbent degradation, integration with variable renewable energy sources, and fluctuating climatic conditions. The design, operation, and control of solid adsorption-DAC systems is a complex problem that requires holistic engineering of the adsorbent material, adsorption system, DAC process, and upstream and downstream operations. In this review, the authors show how Process Systems Engineering (PSE) can address this multiscale system design challenge by highlighting recent PSE advancements in three areas: (i) process-informed sorbent selection, (ii) heat integration and water management, and (iii) technological viability assessments.