Comparison of microwave and conventional heating for CO2 desorption from zeolite 13X

•Microwave energy was applied to temperature swing CO2 capture using zeolite 13X.•Microwave sorbent regeneration is at least 50 % faster than thermal regeneration.•Desorption kinetics are mass diffusion limited during microwave regeneration of 13X.•Apparent desorption activation energy is reduced using microwaves for regeneration.•Proof-of-concept testing demonstrates feasibility of microwave sorbent regeneration.