Carbon Capture Materials and Adsorption Performance in Cement Plant Emissions

Abstract

The cement industry is a massive contributor to global anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions, primarily due to the chemical calcination of limestone and the combustion of fossil fuels required to reach high kiln temperatures. Implementing carbon capture technologies in this sector is hindered by the exceptionally harsh conditions of cement plant flue gas, which is characterized by high carbon dioxide concentrations alongside severe contaminants such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, and significant moisture. This paper presents a comprehensive reliability testing of several promising solid carbon capture materials, specifically evaluating their adsorption performance and long-term cyclic stability under simulated cement plant emission conditions. Through rigorous experimental evaluation in a custom-designed dynamic fixed-bed reactor, we assess the equilibrium adsorption capacities, kinetic behaviors, and degradation profiles of amine-functionalized mesoporous silica, Zeolite 13X, and a highly porous metal-organic framework. The study focuses heavily on the irreversible degradation mechanisms triggered by acid gas competitive adsorption and moisture-induced structural collapse. The findings indicate that while initial adsorption capacities are substantial across all candidates, the presence of sulfur dioxide drastically reduces the operational lifespan of amine-based and metal-organic materials. Zeolite 13X demonstrates superior thermal and chemical resilience but suffers from severe competitive adsorption with water vapor. The research provides critical insights into the material selection and process optimization necessary for deploying robust, economically viable carbon capture systems in heavy industrial applications, emphasizing the need for extensive pre-treatment or advanced composite materials to ensure operational reliability.