Anna Pecorella
Investigation of alkali-alcohol solutions for Direct Air Capture.
Rel. Giuseppe Pipitone, Diana Bernin, Emmanouela Leventaki. Politecnico di Torino, Master of science program in Chemical And Sustainable Processes Engineering, 2026
Abstract
This thesis explores a Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology based on chemical absorption of atmospheric CO2 using alcohol-based alkaline solutions, specifically ethanol with sodium or potassium hydroxide. This work aims to develop innovative carbon removal strategies through unconventional solvents. The research combines a solvent screening study and passive capture experiments. Solvent screening of ethanol, butanol, ethylene glycol, and glycerol identified ethanol as optimal, achieving the best capture efficiency (39%). Subsequently, systematic passive air capture experiments investigated the effects of hydroxide concentration (10-50 g/L), water content (0-12%), alkali type (NaOH vs. KOH), and environmental conditions. Results showed that water content exerted competing effects on CO2 capture: while enhancing hydroxide dissociation, it increased carbonate product solubility.
An optimal water range of 4-8% showed a possible balance between these mechanisms
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