Direct Air Capture (DAC) has emerged in recent years as one of the technological approaches to mitigating climate change. Unlike flue gas-based carbon capture, DAC separates carbon dioxide directly from ambient air rather than from a specific emission source. The captured and purified carbon dioxide can either be stored underground or utilised to create new types of value chains. Together with green hydrogen, carbon dioxide can serve as a feedstock for carbon-neutral e-fuels, chemicals and plastics.
VTT’s Senior Scientist Jere Elfving works on carbon capture and is well-versed in the technology’s potential. According to him, numerous start-ups have entered the field in recent years, and larger companies have also begun investing in DAC.
“Just ten years ago, DAC technology was considered mainly an expensive and theoretical concept, but the situation has changed. Capturing carbon dioxide directly from the air is attracting growing interest, and companies interested in renewable fuels or chemicals are considering whether this technology could provide them with the carbon dioxide source they require,” Elfving says.
“At the same time, some companies are assessing whether capturing carbon dioxide from the air and permanently storing it underground could become a competitive option for them if the price of emissions allowances continues to rise.”
A unique combination of experimental research and modelling
Carbon capture and related technologies have been studied at VTT for many years. The research centre now supports companies in modelling the feasibility of new ideas and in turning experimental concepts into technically credible and scalable solutions before pilot projects and commercial development.
VTT’s DAC research focuses on solid materials that capture carbon dioxide from the air. Studies*) have examined material properties and their performance in the DAC process. High capture capacity alone is not sufficient; durability, reusability and scalability are equally essential characteristics.
VTT is also developing new materials that capture carbon dioxide more efficiently and sustainably. Experimental testing plays a central role in material development. Alongside laboratory research, VTT employs modelling tools to evaluate how promising experimental concepts are likely to perform at different scales.
“VTT’s strength lies in combining laboratory-based material development with the practical design of solutions, such as investigating the functionality of different parts and stages of the process,” Elfving says.
Modelling helps companies identify bottlenecks early and guide experimental work in the right direction. It enables the identification of solutions with genuine potential for real-world applications. In addition, modelling can be used for process optimisation**) to determine the most cost-effective way to capture carbon dioxide.
In the future, VTT also intends to offer companies molecular modelling capabilities.
“In a recently launched academy project, we use molecular modelling to support material design, reducing the time spent on trial and error. Combining molecular modelling with other modelling approaches and experimental research represents the cutting edge of the field,” Elfving says.
Progress from synthetic fuels to edible protein
VTT has itself demonstrated the potential applications of captured carbon dioxide: in the Soletair project, synthetic fuels were produced from CO₂ captured from air, and in the NeoCarbonFood project, the aim was to produce edible protein from it. The range of possible applications is limited only by imagination.
“We can support companies that wish to test material performance or require calculations or modelling related to carbon capture. Companies interested in the further utilisation of carbon dioxide can also benefit from our expertise,” Elfving says.
*) https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894720324657
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0009250921004504
https://lutpub.lut.fi/handle/10024/163524
**)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1385894723032564
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5014185
Meet our expert
Jere Elfving holds a PhD in chemical engineering and is a Senior Scientist at VTT. He specialises in direct air capture of CO₂, particularly adsorption technologies that bind CO₂ to solid materials. Elfving sees DAC technology as a key component of future emissions management. At large scale, it could significantly help to address the challenges of climate change. This is precisely the goal that Elfving aims to advance through his research.
