An efficient and sustainable method for improved CO2 capture based on gas hydrate condensation

Abstract

To reach carbon neutrality, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technology has emerged as a critical solution. This research introduces an innovative and groundbreaking approach to gas capture, the “gas hydrate condensation” method specifically applied to CO₂ capture. We demonstrate that water vapor, efficiently supplied through controlled convection, can directly co-condense with CO₂ on cold surfaces to form gas hydrates. This novel method bypasses the mass/heat transfer limitations inherent in traditional approaches that utilize bulk water for gas hydrate formation, which is further enhanced with liquid CO₂ condensation/vaporization. In this context, condensed liquid CO₂ serves dual purpose: as a refrigerant, facilitating the transport of cold energy, and as a water carrier, significantly accelerating the gas hydrate condensation process. This enhanced method is shown to improve CO₂ capture rates by more than three-fold compared to conventional gas hydrate condensation strategies. Moreover, this work details the distribution and morphology of the gas hydrates formed, laying the groundwork for development and scale-up of this technology. These findings represent a significant advancement in the realm of gas hydrate-based CCS technologies, introducing a versatile, efficient and sustainable strategy for capturing CO₂ and other greenhouse gases.