How does solid-liquid separation support solvent stability in direct air capture systems?

Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies remove carbon dioxide directly from ambient air, typically using amine-based solvents that selectively bind CO₂. Maintaining solvent purity and stability is critical to ensure continuous operation, predictable performance, and acceptable energy efficiency over extended operating periods.

During DAC operation, the solvent loop can accumulate precipitated salts, degradation products, and particulate matter. If not effectively removed, these solids can negatively impact mass transfer, increase solvent degradation rates, and lead to fouling or operational instability within the capture system.

Filtration challenges in DAC solvent loops

DAC processes place specific demands on solid-liquid separation equipment:

  • Continuous exposure to chemically active amine-based solvents

  • Fine particulate and salt precipitation at low solids concentrations

  • The need for stable, low-maintenance operation to support long campaign lengths

Effective filtration is therefore a key enabler for solvent lifetime, system availability, and overall process efficiency.

CONTIBAC® solution for solvent clarification

For this project, DrM supplied six CONTIBAC® filters designed to remove precipitated solids from the solvent circuit in a direct air capture system. The CONTIBAC® filter operates as a semi-continuous pressure filter, providing consistent clarification while maintaining a compact footprint and low solvent losses.

Key functional benefits include:

  • Reliable removal of fine particulate and precipitated salts

  • Protection of solvent quality, supporting extended solvent lifetime

  • Stable filtration performance, contributing to predictable energy consumption

  • Compatibility with continuous DAC operation, supporting scale-up concepts

With more than 80 installations worldwide in gas sweetening and carbon capture-related applications, DrM filtration systems are established solutions for both mature separation processes and emerging CO₂ capture technologies.

By enabling effective solvent clarification, CONTIBAC® filters support the technical scalability of direct air capture as part of broader decarbonisation and carbon management strategies.