CO2 removal by applying the adsorption process to biochar from waste materials

[Geoengineering News]

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-026-37975-7

Authors: Maria Angelica Martins Costa, Geisa Albini, Lucas Freitas de Oliveira, Eliza Almeida de Oliveira, Alexandre Jorge Duarte de Souza, Mariana de Oliveira Bérgamo, Letícia Vicente Moreno & Kelly Johana Dussán 

03 July 2026

Abstract

This study evaluated lignocellulosic residues as low-cost adsorbents for CO2 capture in a dynamic column system, focusing on spent coffee grounds biochar (SCGB) as an alternative to commercial activated carbon. Commercial activated carbon, SCGB, magnetized SCGB, KOH-activated SCGB, peanut shell pellet charcoal, sugarcane bagasse charcoal containing kaolin, and calcined SCGB samples were tested. SCGB was produced by pyrolysis and modified by chemical activation, magnetite incorporation, or post-pyrolysis calcination. CO2 adsorption tests were performed in a column under different air and CO₂ inlet flow rates, and CO2 concentrations were monitored at the inlet and outlet using infrared sensors. The adsorption capacity ranged from 0.43 to 7.17 mmol CO2/g, depending on the adsorbent and operating conditions. The best performance was obtained for non-activated SCGB, which reached 7.17 mmol CO2/g under intermediate air flow conditions. Although KOH activation improved the textural properties of SCGB, it did not lead to the highest adsorption capacity in the column. These results indicate that CO2 capture under dynamic conditions is controlled not only by BET surface area and micropore volume, but also by pore accessibility, surface chemistry, bed behavior, and gas residence time. Spent coffee grounds biochar showed competitive CO2 adsorption performance and may be considered a promising low-cost adsorbent for carbon capture applications. The results support the use of biomass-derived residues in column-based CO2 mitigation processes, while highlighting the need for further studies on humidity tolerance, regeneration, and scale-up.

Source: Springer Nature Link