Computational screening
methods have changed the way new materials
and processes are discovered and designed. For adsorption-based gas
separations and carbon capture, recent efforts have been directed
toward the development of multiscale and performance-based screening
workflows where we can go from the atomistic structure of an adsorbent
to its equilibrium and transport properties at different scales, and
eventually to its separation performance at the process level. The
objective of this work is to review the current status of this new
approach, discuss its potential and impact on the field of materials
screening, and highlight the challenges that limit its application.
We compile and introduce all the elements required for the development,
implementation, and operation of multiscale workflows, hence providing
a useful practical guide and a comprehensive source of reference to
the scientific communities who work in this area. Our review includes
information about available materials databases, state-of-the-art
molecular simulation and process modeling tools, and a complete catalogue
of data and parameters that are required at each stage of the multiscale
screening. We thoroughly discuss the challenges associated with data
availability, consistency of the models, and reproducibility of the
data and, finally, propose new directions for the future of the field.