Communications in Humanities Research ISSN: 2753-7072
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Research Article

Breathing Buildings in a Changing Climate: HVAC-Integrated CO 2 Capture and Storage Pathways

Baichuan ZhouSouthwest Jiaotong University*

* Corresponding author: [email protected]

Abstract

HVAC-integrated CO 2 capture has been proposed as a supplementary carbon-management approach for buildings equipped with ventilation and air-conditioning systems that move large volumes of air. This focused structured narrative review synthesises 24 peer-reviewed journal articles published from 2020 to July 2026, examining building airflow, CO 2 capture media, HVAC integration, energy and economic performance, gas conditioning, and material-storage pathways. The evidence shows that higher indoor CO 2 concentrations increase the available mass per unit airflow, yet annual CO 2 recovery is influenced more strongly by sustained ventilation, operating hours, climate conditions, humidity, duct accessibility, and regeneration-energy requirements. Equipment demonstrations confirm that capture modules can be integrated with air-handling units, although additional fan power, sorbent degradation, moisture control, and limited test durations remain important constraints. Model-based studies indicate that energy and carbon performance vary widely with system configuration, control strategy, climate, and electricity or heat supply. Porous sorbents support reversible retention and indoor CO 2 concentration management, whereas cementitious utilisation and mineral carbonation offer more durable storage pathways. However, no study identified in this review has yet demonstrated a continuous pathway linking CO 2 capture in an occupied building to final cementitious storage. HVAC-integrated capture is therefore most credible as a selective application in buildings with stable airflow, low-carbon energy for sorbent regeneration, and access to a nearby material-processing facility. Future evaluations should distinguish captured, conditioned, delivered, utilised, and ultimately retained CO 2 within an integrated mass, energy, and carbon-balance framework.

Keywords: HVAC-integrated CO 2 capture; indoor CO 2 capture; building ventilation systems; cementitious CO 2 utilization; mineral carbonation
Published: September 8, 2026
DOI: 10.54254/2753-7064/2026.36639
Volume: CHR Vol.120
pp. 142-152
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