Grant: Discovery Grants Program - Individual

To meet decarbonization goals by 2050, collective efforts by all developed countries are required to limit the global warming effect to 2°C through implementing various decarbonization strategies such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). The Canadian Arctic occupies about 40% of the national land and has > 100,000 indigenous residents. Also, within the range of temperature anomalies that are observed globally by global warming, the Arctic region has the highest temperature anomaly. Thus, it could be of great importance to employ CCUS to reduce CO2 concentration in the Arctic region to limit its warming effect. Despite extensive studies on direct air capture (DAC) using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and ionic liquids (ILs), there is no comprehensive study to screen these materials for the Arctic region, and our study will bring novelty in terms of application. The impact of H2O vapor as an ever-present component of air on MOF performance is poorly understood in previous studies. In addition, the DAC underlying mechanisms and fundamental analysis from different scales, ranging from atomistic and molecular scale to pilot scale are missing in the literature. In this research program, we aim to study the potential of carbon capture through DAC in the Canadian Arctic region. We will investigate the optimum DAC technology, operating conditions, and materials in capturing process. In addition, we will minimize the energy input from non-renewable resources, which requires an analysis of renewable energy availability in the Arctic region. The first high-level screening will be conducted on the technology type. Among DAC processes, physical and chemical absorption by liquids and adsorption on solids are found promising candidates. However, for a logical analysis, the optimization of process type, condition, energy requirement, and material demand should be considered simultaneously through conducting a comprehensive techno-economic assessment. For the adsorbent scenario, MOFs are promising options, and for absorption, ILs and alkali metal solutions are among the suitable options; we will conduct absorption-desorption tests, and dynamic breakthrough analysis, in addition to sorbent characterization. There are some advantages to applying DAC in the Arctic because of its climate condition, which has not been explored yet: (1) the level of CO2 in the atmosphere is the highest in the Arctic region; (2) because of low temperature, the density is higher. Therefore, there is more CO2 mass in one processing unit volume of air; (3) the lower temperature also helps to have a higher adsorption and absorption capacity. Hence, less material is needed; (4) the remoteness of the Arctic may make some of products such as synthetic fuels more suitable; and (5) there is minimal water vapor in the air. Moreover, this proposal will act as a seed for other research areas and other countries, sharing the Arctic region, which is required for a global impact.