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SAFE-CO2
Switchable adsorber in a structured bed for the engery-efficient CO2 capture.
The separation of CO2 from air will play an important role in the fight against climate change if energy consumption continues to be reduced. The SAFE-CO2 project is developing switchable CO2 adsorbers that release CO2 at low temperatures. These are embedded in a porous structure that allows air to flow through easily. Thereby an energy-efficient process for direct air capture is developed.
Project management
Dr. Thomas Schiestel
Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB)
Projekt duration
01.03.2026 – 28.02.2029Project partner
Prof. Markus Gallei, Institute for Polymer Chemistry, Saarland University (IPC)|Dr.-Ing. Raphael Vollmer, Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research (ZSW)|Dr. Tobias Götz, Dr. Claudia Vorbeck, Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology (IGB)
Project goals
The SAFE-CO2 project aims to develop an energy-efficient technology for the direct capture of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air (Direct Air Capture, DAC) in order to contribute to negative emissions and thus to climate protection. While conventional processes require higher temperatures and larger amounts of energy for regeneration, SAFE-CO2 pursues an innovative approach based on thermoresponsive adsorbent materials.
The focus is on special materials that can bind CO2 to their surface. These adsorbents consist of polymers that change when heated. At relatively low temperatures (target: 70°C), they release the previously absorbed CO2. This allows the absorption and release to be controlled in a targeted manner. The materials are designed to absorb large amounts of CO2, react quickly, and function reliably even after many cycles of use.
To allow large volumes of air to flow through the system with little resistance, the adsorbers are embedded in porous, sponge-like structures. These structures are known from membrane technology and enable low pressure loss. At the same time, the heat supply is designed so that only the adsorbers are heated as far as possible. Part of the heat used is to be reused in order to further reduce energy consumption.
Three partners with different areas of expertise are collaborating on the project. The Institute of Polymer Chemistry at Saarland University is developing the new adsorbent materials. The Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology is designing the modules and porous structures, and the Center for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research is testing the performance and developing suitable processes. In addition, the environmental friendliness and economic viability of the process are being evaluated in comparison to existing solutions.
Overall, SAFE-CO2 aims to demonstrate that direct CO2 capture from the air is technically feasible, low in energy consumption, and usable in the long term. The project thus makes an important contribution to future climate protection technologies. In the long term, the technology can help offset unavoidable emissions and provide CO2 as a raw material for industry, building materials, or chemical products, enabling sustainable value chains that promote climate-neutral processes and support the transition to a more environmentally friendly economy.