Reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions is one of the most critical challenges in combating climate change. To address this, scientists are developing technologies that can capture CO₂ released from industrial plants and power stations.

Among the various methods available, amine-based absorption is currently the most developed and cost-effective option for capturing CO₂ after combustion (known as post-combustion CO₂ capture). However, this method requires a significant amount of energy, which has spurred efforts to find more energy-efficient alternatives.

One promising alternative to the widely used solvent ethanolamine (MEA) is CESAR1, a blend of two chemicals—2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol (AMP) and piperazine (PZ). Specifically, CESAR1 contains 3.0 M (molar concentration) AMP and 1.5 M PZ. Research has shown that CESAR1 performs better than MEA in several key areas:

  • Lower energy consumption: It requires less energy to absorb and release CO₂, making it more efficient.
  • Lower degradation rates: The solvent breaks down more slowly, which extends its lifespan and reduces waste.
  • Higher CO₂ loading capacity: CESAR1 can absorb more CO₂ per unit of solvent, improving its overall performance.

Another advantage of CESAR1 is its non-proprietary nature, meaning it is not tied to any specific technology provider. This makes it accessible to more industries and a strong candidate to replace MEA as the standard solvent for CO₂ capture.

The combination of lower energy use, slower degradation, and higher efficiency makes CESAR1 a highly attractive solution for large-scale CO₂ capture. If implemented widely, it can help reduce the energy costs and environmental impacts of capturing CO₂, contributing to global climate goals.

This research has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 101096521.