General technoeconomic analysis for electrochemical coproduction coupling carbon dioxide reduction with organic...

Area of Science:

• Electrochemistry
• Sustainable Chemistry
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Electrochemical processes coupling CO2 reduction with organic oxidation are promising for clean chemical production and renewable energy utilization.
• Economic assessments of this technology are challenging due to product diversity and process variability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a technoeconomic analysis of electrochemical CO2 reduction-organic oxidation coproduction.
• To propose economically feasible product combinations through conceptual process design.

Main Methods:

• Development of an automated process synthesis framework for guiding process simulations.
• Prediction of levelized chemical costs using process simulations.
• Global sensitivity analysis of key electrochemical parameters (current density, Faraday efficiency, overpotential) across 295 coproduction processes.

Main Results:

• Identification of key parameters influencing the economic feasibility of electrochemical coproduction.
• Demonstration of the link between electrochemical performance and the levelized cost of chemicals.
• Highlighting specific combinations with significant economic potential.

Conclusions:

• Electrochemical coupling of CO2 reduction with value-added organic oxidation reactions shows significant economic promise.
• Technoeconomic analysis is crucial for optimizing and realizing the potential of these sustainable processes.
• Further research and development can enhance the economic viability of electrochemical coproduction technologies.