Anna Pecorella
Investigation of alkali-alcohol solutions for Direct Air Capture.
Rel. Giuseppe Pipitone, Diana Bernin, Emmanouela Leventaki. Politecnico di Torino, Corso di laurea magistrale in Ingegneria Chimica E Dei Processi Sostenibili, 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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