A novel cogeneration system combining supercritical CO₂ power generation with integrated direct air capture represents a significant advancement in low-carbon energy technology. Researchers conducted detailed thermodynamic, economic, and environmental analyses of a waste heat-powered cycle designed to simultaneously produce electricity and supply energy to carbon capture operations.
The base system configuration achieved 24.80% thermal efficiency and 63.11% exergy efficiency, generating 5.234 MW of net power while maintaining cost-effective operation at 1,168 $/hour. A genetic algorithm optimization routine further improved performance, reducing total cost rates by 6.22% and exergy destruction by 5.27%, ultimately reaching 25.94% thermal efficiency—a meaningful improvement for industrial-scale deployment.
Exergoeconomic analysis revealed the cost distribution across major components, identifying high-value targets for capital reduction and performance enhancement. This methodology enables engineers to prioritize equipment improvements and operational refinements with quantified economic returns. The lifecycle assessment demonstrated exceptional environmental credentials, calculating global warming potential of just 0.46 g CO₂-equivalent per kilowatt-hour for net electricity generation and 0.68 g CO₂-eq/kWh when accounting for allocated heat delivery.
The integrated approach addresses a critical challenge in decarbonization: providing both reliable grid power and the energy-intensive process heat required for direct air capture. By coupling these functions through waste heat recovery, the system achieves superior overall performance compared to separate power and capture installations. The modular design enables integration with industrial heat sources, power plants, or standalone renewable thermal inputs.
Key findings confirm that supercritical CO₂ cycles offer thermodynamic advantages—higher efficiency and lower losses—compared to conventional working fluids. The combination of competitive levelized costs, reduced exergy destruction, and substantial carbon reduction potential positions this technology as a credible pathway toward net-negative carbon electricity systems at commercial scale.
