Airhive (Develop Direct Air Capture technology using advanced fluidised-bed technology)

Airhive, a UK-based climate technology company founded in 2022, develops a more efficient, scalable, and cost-effective Direct Air Capture (DAC) technology through its novel fluidised-bed technology and advanced sorbent materials.

(This article contains one diagram and 1381 words.)

Challenges: Direct Air Capture

As global climate change becomes an increasingly urgent challenge, effectively reducing the concentration of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere has become an important part of achieving carbon neutrality. In addition to reducing new carbon emissions from the industrial, energy, and transportation sectors, directly removing CO₂ that has already accumulated in the atmosphere is receiving growing attention. Direct Air Capture (DAC) is a negative-emission technology developed for this purpose. Its basic principle is to bring large volumes of air into contact with materials capable of capturing CO₂, separate the low-concentration CO₂ from the air, and subsequently store or utilize the captured carbon dioxide.

However, atmospheric CO₂ is present at a concentration of only several hundred parts per million (ppm). Therefore, very large volumes of air must be processed to capture a meaningful amount of CO₂. This creates a major challenge for conventional DAC technologies: if a large pressure drop occurs as air passes through the capture system, substantial electrical power will be required to operate the fans, significantly increasing the overall cost of carbon capture. Consequently, achieving efficient gas–sorbent contact while minimizing pressure drop is essential for the large-scale and economically viable deployment of DAC technology.

Airhive Technology

Airhive is developing an innovative DAC technology designed to remove CO₂ directly from the atmosphere in an efficient and scalable way. At the heart of its approach is a fluidised-bed system that brings air into contact with solid sorbent materials, enabling rapid and effective CO₂ capture. The technology is designed to enhance mass and heat transfer while supporting continuous operation and efficient sorbent regeneration. By combining advanced sorbent chemistry with compact process engineering, Airhive aims to reduce the energy use, cost, and physical footprint associated with direct air capture, creating a modular platform with the potential to scale toward large-volume, permanent carbon removal.

Airhive DAC technology

The diagram below depicts the system of Airhive’s DAC technology.