Abstract This work investigates the performance of the rotating vortex reactor (RVR) as a promising intensified contactor for direct air capture (DAC). Both adsorption and desorption are tested across ranges of superficial gas velocities and rotation speeds, thereby tuning the bed regime—packed or fluidized—under a centrifugal force field (known as a high‐gravity condition) and a vortex flow to enhance mass and heat transfer. A cyclic cut‐off analysis further quantifies the contributions of the main energy consumers and clarifies the trade‐offs between productivity and energy demand. The adsorber achieves high volumetric CO 2 capture rates of 7.5–13.5 kgCO 2 /(m 3 ·h), while hot‐air regeneration enables rapid desorption in <10 min. This proof‐of‐concept study shows RVR's potential for process intensification while identifying areas for further improvement in the unit's design and operation to reduce energy demand for DAC.
Kourou et al. (2026) studied this question.