A critical review of absorption-driven CO₂ capture and techno-economic feasibility

Rapid industrial expansion combined with continuous population growth has intensified global environmental concerns, particularly the increasing concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that accelerate climate change. Addressing these challenges requires the implementation of sustainable and large-scale mitigation strategies, among which carbon capture technologies have emerged as a vital approach for reducing atmospheric CO₂ emissions. Among the available capture techniques, absorption-based systems remain the most mature and widely adopted due to their high processing capacity, operational reliability, and adaptability across diverse industrial applications. This review critically examines recent advancements in CO₂ capture technologies, with a primary emphasis on absorption-based processes. The review critically evaluates the techno-economic feasibility of absorption-based CO₂ capture by comparing solvent selection strategies, regeneration energy requirements, and key economic indicators relevant to industrial implementation. In addition, the review compares absorption processes with other separation techniques, highlighting their advantages, limitations, and industrial relevance. Special attention is given to recent innovations in solvent development, including conventional aqueous amine solvents, phase-change solvents, and emerging deep eutectic solvents, which have demonstrated improved capture performance and enhanced process sustainability. Finally, the review identifies the major technical and economic challenges associated with absorption-based CO₂ capture and proposes strategic directions to improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, and support large-scale industrial deployment.