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 CO 2 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 CO 2 capture and in-situ conversion technologies have garnered significant attention due to their potential to eliminate CO 2 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. • CCU technologies are summarized and comprehensively reviewed. • The current development progress of emerging ICCU technologies is reviewed. • System integration design offers a promising approach to enhance energy efficiency. • Data-driven technology shows superiority in model establishment and optimization.