Zeolite 13X for Post-Combustion CO 2 Capture: Adsorption Mechanisms, Process Performance, and Practical Challenges

Post-combustion CO 2 capture is essential for reducing emissions from fossil-fuel power plants, yet it remains limited by high energy demand and operational challenges. Zeolite 13X has long been considered a benchmark adsorbent due to its strong CO 2 affinity, fast kinetics, and commercial availability. This review examines the use of zeolite 13X for post-combustion CO 2 capture, focusing on adsorption mechanisms, equilibrium and kinetic behavior, and performance in cyclic adsorption processes. Particular attention is given to the effects of temperature, pressure, moisture, and fluegas impurities, which strongly influence adsorption capacity and regeneration. The performance of pressure swing, vacuum swing, temperature swing, and hybrid adsorption cycles is compared, highlighting trade-offs between CO 2 purity, recovery, productivity, and energy consumption. Recent material modification strategies aimed at improving moisture tolerance and cyclic stability are also discussed. By linking adsorption fundamentals with process-level performance, this review outlines the key limitations of zeolite 13X under realistic flue-gas conditions and identifies directions for improving its practical deployment.