Recent advances in CO₂ capture and utilization: From the perspective of process integration and optimization

As the greenhouse effect intensifies, carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has gained increasing attention as a promising solution for decarbonizing fossil energy and industrial sectors. While traditional carbon capture methods, such as absorption and CO₂ hydrogenation, are relatively mature and have been applied industrially, there remains room for improvement in areas such as large-scale demonstration and energy efficiency. Emerging CO₂ capture and in-situ conversion technologies have garnered significant attention due to their potential to eliminate CO₂ transportation and reduce associated costs; however, further advancements in catalyst performance are required. Additionally, integrating CCU with systems such as organic Rankine cycles (ORC) can enhance overall performance by optimizing the utilization of thermal energy. Similarly, coupling CCU with renewable energy (RE) offers mutual benefits: it improves the environmental performance and operational costs of CCU while providing additional flexibility to accommodate renewable power generation. Nevertheless, critical research gaps persist, particularly in the development of accurate and efficient models for integrated systems. Although data-driven technologies present a promising solution, dynamic modeling and flexible operation of integrated CCU processes remain underexplored. This review underscores the need for advanced optimization strategies and system-level innovations to fully unlock the potential of CCU technologies in achieving sustainable decarbonization.