A review on development of post-combustion CO2 capture technologies: Performance of carbon-based, zeolites and MOFs adsorbents

Over the past decade, CO2 adsorption technology has rapidly gained prominence and played a pivotal role in achieving net-zero emissions. The adsorption pathway has great potential for capturing CO2, and there are three main factors affecting its competitiveness: adsorbent performance, reactor system and regeneration process. Working mechanisms, merits and demerits of different post-combustion CO2 capture technology (PSA, VSA, VPSA, TSA, VTSA) were systematically described, and the performances of three major adsorbents (carbon-based, zeolites and MOFs) were summarized in the aspects of CO2 purity, recovery rates and energy consumption. As solid adsorbents, they show significant potential for capturing CO2 from flue gas in terms of renewable energy and cost savings. Limitations and challenges also need to be overcome for large-scale technological implementation. Working adsorption capacity, production costs, cycle life, thermal stability, resistance to moisture/impurities and multi-cycle durability are the development direction. Besides, optimize the combination of reactor system and regeneration mode will efficiently maximize CO2 capture capacity.