Dual function materials (Ru+Na2O/Al2O3) for direct air capture of CO2 and in situ catalytic methanation: The impact of realistic ambient conditions

A dual function material (DFM) comprised of 1% Ru, 10% Na2O/gamma -Al(2)O(3)was studied for combined direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 and catalytic methanation in a temperature swing operation. In the newly proposed operation, the DFM captures CO2 (400 ppm) from air at ambient conditions. The material is then heated in H-2 to a temperature sufficient for catalytic conversion of the captured CO2 to renewable natural gas. In this study, we demonstrate high CO2 adsorption capacity and rates at ambient conditions (25 degrees C); the adsorbed CO2 is then successfully catalytically methanated upon heating in H-2. Adsorption was also carried out in humid conditions, more closely simulating ambient air. Adsorption and methane production were greatly improved with stable initial performance. The rate of adsorption is shown to be flowrate-dependent, which is critical for future reactor design.

Automated summary

This study investigates a dual function material (DFM) consisting of 1% Ru, 10% Na2O/gamma -Al(2)O(3) for combined direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 and catalytic methanation. The DFM exhibits high CO2 adsorption capacity and rates at ambient conditions and can be successfully converted to renewable natural gas through catalytic methanation. The study also explores adsorption under humid conditions and highlights the importance of flowrate in future reactor design.