Choose module count, stagger pattern and heat-buffer strategy that maximise annual net removal rather than gross nameplate capture.
Independent model study · direct air capture
Maximise net removal—not nominal module capacity
Phase adsorption and desorption modules against limited low-carbon heat, electricity, weather, sorbent ageing, maintenance and storage availability.
Ambient airAdsorbIsolateHeat / vacuumDesorbCoolCompress
Decision model
A bounded question with a complete plant consequence.
Ambient-air fans through adsorption modules, thermal/vacuum regeneration, CO₂ collection/compression and storage interface, including heat, power, sorbent and downtime.
Equations and accounting rules
Captured CO₂ = working capacity × sorbent mass × completed cyclesFan power = pressure drop × airflow / efficiencyThermal duty = sensible + desorption + lossesNet removal = gross capture − process and embodied emissionsBase, alternative and stress cases
- 10, 20 and 40 modules
- Synchronous versus staggered cycles
- Seasonal weather and heat constraint
- Fouling, improved sorbent and storage interruption
Engineering brief
Model the complete decision, not an isolated unit operation.
Climeworks publicly describes modular solid-sorbent capture with fan-driven adsorption and low-temperature thermal desorption around 100°C.
Sorbent isotherms, cycle time, fan curves and plant energy intensity are not treated as public truth unless sourced. Gross capture, process emissions and net durable removal stay separate.
01 · Model basis
What the Acatian model needs to resolve
Inputs, mechanisms, limits and outputs remain reviewable on one declared basis.Inputs
Weather, inlet CO₂ and humidity
Sorbent working capacity, kinetics and ageing
Cycle times, pressure drop and heat grade
Fan/vacuum/compressor efficiency and storage availability
Mechanisms
Captured CO₂ = working capacity × sorbent mass × completed cycles
Fan power = pressure drop × airflow / efficiency
Thermal duty = sensible + desorption + losses
Net removal = gross capture − process and embodied emissions
Constraints
Heat and power time-series capacity
Weather-dependent adsorption
Module state and maintenance
Compression and storage-interface availability
Outputs
Gross and net tCO₂/year
Module capacity factor and downtime
Heat/power peaks and energy/net tonne
Sorbent replacement and cost sensitivity
02 · Acatian workflow
Build it in six controlled steps
Each step creates a reviewable object, not a hidden spreadsheet assumption.- 01
Define gross and net boundaries.
- 02
Build module state machines.
- 03
Parameterise capacity and weather effects.
- 04
Schedule shared heat and power.
- 05
Add compression, storage and maintenance.
- 06
Compare net removal and capacity factor.
03 · Decisions
Questions the model should answer
How many modules can heat support?
Does staggering reduce peaks?
What drives net-versus-gross loss?
Which ageing or weather case dominates?
04 · Evidence boundary
Validate before the result carries weight
Validation
Verify completed-cycle accounting, no double use of shared utilities, gross-to-net reconciliation and calibration against authorised module data.
Limitations
No proprietary Climeworks sorbent, isotherm or plant-performance model is disclosed. Storage permanence and project certification remain outside scope.
Public evidence
What the company context supports—and what it does not.
Sources establish the public process architecture. They do not reveal private operating parameters, site performance or an Acatian relationship.Frequently asked questions
Practical modelling questions
Is this the named organisation's real plant model?
No. It is an independent hypothetical Acatian study based only on the cited public process architecture. It claims no affiliation, endorsement, deployment, confidential data or actual plant performance.
Where do the numerical inputs come from?
Every input must be marked as a public fact, literature estimate, transparent engineering assumption or authorised customer input. The public article does not invent private operating values.
Can the model be calibrated to a real facility?
Yes, when the operator supplies authorised process, equipment, schedule and utility evidence and agrees the intended use, acceptance criteria and validation plan.