Single solvents, solvent blends, and advanced solvent systems in CO2 capture by absorption: a review

CO2 capture by absorption requires solvents which can meet performance criteria such as fast absorption rate, high CO2 loading capacity, low regeneration energy, low degradation rate, low corrosiveness, low environmental impact and low solvent cost. The development of a suitable solvent is central for design of decarbonised power plants with minimal energy penalty in a cost-effective and environmentally benign manner. Therefore, the current review characterises promising single solvents, solvent blends, and advanced solvent systems, suitable for CO2 capture applications by solvent absorption. The focus is on comparison of solvents by means of carefully selected performance criteria. The review analyses the state of the art, major technological advantages, as well as R&D challenges of promising single solvents, solvent blends, and advanced solvent systems in large-scale CO2 capture applications.