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Synthesis and Performance Characterizations of Transition Metal Single Atom Catalyst for Electrochemical CO2 Reduction
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Techno-Economic Analysis of a Three-Compartment CO2 Electrolyzer for Formic Acid Production
Camilo E Peralta1,2, Jose Antonio Abarca2, Guillermo Díaz-Sainz2
1Apria Systems S.L., Guarnizo, Spain.
Chemsuschem
|April 13, 2026
Summary
Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formic acid offers sustainable energy storage. Techno-economic analysis shows acidic, two-compartment cells are favorable, with three-compartment cells achieving cost-effective high concentrations using renewable hydrogen.
Area of Science:
- Electrochemistry
- Renewable Energy Storage
- Carbon Capture and Utilization
Background:
- Electrochemical reduction of CO2 to liquid fuels is a sustainable method for storing renewable electricity.
- Formic acid is a promising product due to its high energy density and use as a hydrogen carrier.
- Achieving high product selectivity at high concentrations is critical for economic viability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a techno-economic analysis of formic acid and formate production.
- To compare two-compartment and three-compartment electrolyzer configurations.
- To evaluate the impact of different anode reactions (water oxidation vs. hydrogen oxidation) on economic feasibility.
Main Methods:
- Techno-economic analysis of formic acid production using computational modeling.
- Evaluation of two- and three-compartment electrochemical cells.
- Assessment of varying electrolyte media (acidic vs. alkaline) and anode reactions.
Main Results:
- Acidic media in two-compartment cells are more economically favorable for direct formic acid production than alkaline media.
- Three-compartment cells demonstrate superior performance at high product concentrations (above 15 M) when Faradaic efficiencies exceed 70%.
- Utilizing renewable hydrogen for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in a three-compartment cell can reduce costs to below $0.42/kg HCOOH.
Conclusions:
- Optimized electrochemical CO2 reduction, particularly in three-compartment cells with renewable hydrogen, offers a cost-effective route to formic acid production.
- This technology has significant potential for decarbonizing hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
- High Faradaic efficiency is essential for the economic success of high-concentration formic acid synthesis.
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