Point-source carbon capture and direct air capture – A technology overview

The continuous emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly CO₂, cause climate challenges. Carbon capture and removal technologies could mitigate the climate challenges arising from greenhouse gas emissions. Achieving the climate targets of the Paris Agreement requires simultaneous implementation of CO₂ capture and removal strategies, such as point-source CO₂ capture and direct air capture. Point-source CO₂ capture aims to address emissions from various sectors, including fossil-fuel-powered energy generation, natural gas processing, fertilizer production, cement and steel fabrication, and H₂ and CH₄ production. However, direct air capture targets offsetting emissions from transportation and wildfires. This review provides an overview of today's two most studied CO₂ capture and removal technologies: point-source CO₂ capture and direct air capture. It presents recent advances associated with each technology, highlights the advantages, challenges and remaining milestones, and discusses the potential research directions for feasibility enhancements.