CO2 Absorption Using Membrane Contactors: Recent Progress and Future Perspective

• Published in: Industrial & engineering chemistry research Vol. 59; no. 15; pp. 6773 - 6794
• Main Authors: Chuah, Chong Yang, Kim, Kyunam, Lee, Junghyun, Koh, Dong-Yeun, Bae, Tae-Hyun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: American Chemical Society 15-04-2020
• ISSN: 0888-5885; 1520-5045
• DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b05439

CO2 absorption is a key to alleviating the environmental consequences of fossil fuel combustion, which is a major source of global CO2 emission. Membrane contactors have showcased several competitive advantages in CO2 absorption over conventional gas–liquid contactors (e.g., packed towers), such as a large mass-transfer area and a safe operation owing to the membranes that physically separate the gas and liquid phases. This Review discusses the state-of-the-art studies related to CO2 absorption using membrane contactors, with focuses on membrane materials, liquid absorbents, process design, and pilot-scale demonstration of membrane contactor processes. Critical challenges in membrane contactor-based CO2 absorption processes, such as membrane fouling and pore wetting, are also discussed.