Electrochemical processing of carbon dioxide.

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Chemical Engineering
• Climate Change Mitigation

Background:

• Carbon dioxide (CO(2)) emissions negatively impact the global climate.
• Developing processes to convert CO(2) into valuable products is crucial.
• Electrochemical reduction of CO(2) offers a promising route for CO(2) utilization.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the viability of electrosynthesis processes for formate salts and formic acid from CO(2).
• To evaluate conceptual flowsheet designs for commercial-scale CO(2) conversion.
• To examine the potential of trickle-bed continuous electrochemical reactors for CO(2) reduction.

Main Methods:

• Laboratory-scale experiments on a 100 A scale.
• Development of conceptual process flowsheets for two distinct conversion options.
• Analysis of CO(2) conversion at a rate of 100 tonnes per day.

Main Results:

• Successful reduction of CO(2) to formate (HCO(2)(-)) in a trickle-bed continuous electrochemical reactor.
• Demonstration of industrially viable conditions for CO(2) electroreduction.
• Identification of cathode stability and formate crossover as key challenges.

Conclusions:

• Trickle-bed continuous electrochemical reactors show potential for commercial CO(2) to formate production.
• Overcoming challenges in cathode stability and formate crossover is essential for commercialization.
• The proposed processes offer a viable route for converting CO(2) into formate salts and formic acid.