As global warming accelerates and energy resources dwindle, carbon capture and sustainable energy technologies are becoming increasingly vital. Among these, calcium looping technology stands out for its cost-effectiveness and ability to integrate with other systems.
Also read: UK Government pledges £22bn for carbon capture projects
High-Temperature Carbon Capture and Waste Heat Recovery
In a new study, a team of researchers facilitated calcium looping technology for both high-temperature carbon dioxide (CO2) recovery and waste heat recovery at up to 900°C. Built on high-temperature thermal batteries developed by the Energy Storage and Energy Carriers Group (ESEC), the team collaborated with the Department of Computer Science at the University of Oxford, the Energy Process Engineering and Conversion Technologies for Renewable Energies, Berlin, and the School of Energy and Power Engineering at Northeast Electric Power University, China. The aim was to develop a machine learning approach that can predict the synergistic performance of CO2 capture and waste heat recovery using the composite calcium looping materials under different conditions.
Machine Learning Accelerating Carbon Capture Material Screening
A key advantage of this method is its ability to predict material properties without requiring a deep understanding of the underlying chemistry or physics. This can significantly accelerate material screening, design, and development, which can be broadly applied to various material innovations, including catalysts, adsorbents, batteries, and fuels.
Advancements in Carbon Capture Material Design
The study also provides a comprehensive guide for developing more effective sorbents and highlights the importance of tailoring synthesis methods to achieve better results. This study, published in Wiley Small, reviewed the past 10 years of progress in overcoming these challenges, offering insights into the design and performance of improved synthetic Calcium oxide (CaO)-based materials.
Conclusion: Future of Carbon Capture Technologies
Zirui Wang, lead author and 2nd Year DPhil student in the ESEC group (led by Dr. Binjian Nie), said: “This work advances explorations in carbon capture and waste heat recovery materials. I sincerely appreciate the support from the department and all co-authors.” The work has been funded by UKRI (IDRIC) Industrial Decarbonisation Research and Innovation Centre programme. IDRIC is backed by over £20m funding and is part of the £210m Industrial Decarbonisation challenge.
