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Title: Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review

Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil-based technologies for the synthesis of chemicals. Its industrial implementation could lead to a reduction in the carbon footprint of chemicals and the mitigation of climate change impacts caused by hard-to-decarbonize industrial applications, among other benefits. However, the current low technology readiness levels of such emerging technologies make it hard to predict their performance at industrial scales. During the past few years, researchers have developed diverse techniques to model and assess the electrochemical reduction of CO2 toward its industrial implementation. The aim of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive overview of techno-economic and life cycle assessment methods and pave the way for future assessment approaches. First, we identify which modeling approaches have been conducted to extend analysis to the production scale. Next, we explore the metrics used to evaluate such systems, regarding technical, environmental, and economic aspects. Finally, we assess the challenges and research opportunities for the industrial implementation of CO2 reduction via electrolysis.

Authors:
 [1];  [2];  [3];  [3];  [3]
  1. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Inst.
  2. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
  3. Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States). Renewable and Sustainable Energy Inst.; National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
1812705
Report Number(s):
NREL/JA-5C00-80633
Journal ID: ISSN 2589-0042; MainId:66364;UUID:1d233076-9350-4a30-a6e0-a3040f8e1579;MainAdminID:48439
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC36-08GO28308
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
iScience
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 24; Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 2589-0042
Publisher:
Elsevier
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; 37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY; electrochemistry; energy engineering; energy policy; energy resources; energy sustainability; energy systems

Citation Formats

Somoza-Tornos, Ana, Guerra, Omar J., Crow, Allison M., Smith, Wilson A., and Hodge, Bri-Mathias. Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review. United States: N. p., 2021. Web. doi:10.1016/j.isci.2021.102813.
Somoza-Tornos, Ana, Guerra, Omar J., Crow, Allison M., Smith, Wilson A., & Hodge, Bri-Mathias. Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review. United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102813
Somoza-Tornos, Ana, Guerra, Omar J., Crow, Allison M., Smith, Wilson A., and Hodge, Bri-Mathias. Thu . "Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review". United States. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2021.102813. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1812705.
@article{osti_1812705,
title = {Process modeling, techno-economic assessment, and life cycle assessment of the electrochemical reduction of CO2: a review},
author = {Somoza-Tornos, Ana and Guerra, Omar J. and Crow, Allison M. and Smith, Wilson A. and Hodge, Bri-Mathias},
abstractNote = {The electrochemical reduction of CO2 has emerged as a promising alternative to traditional fossil-based technologies for the synthesis of chemicals. Its industrial implementation could lead to a reduction in the carbon footprint of chemicals and the mitigation of climate change impacts caused by hard-to-decarbonize industrial applications, among other benefits. However, the current low technology readiness levels of such emerging technologies make it hard to predict their performance at industrial scales. During the past few years, researchers have developed diverse techniques to model and assess the electrochemical reduction of CO2 toward its industrial implementation. The aim of this literature review is to provide a comprehensive overview of techno-economic and life cycle assessment methods and pave the way for future assessment approaches. First, we identify which modeling approaches have been conducted to extend analysis to the production scale. Next, we explore the metrics used to evaluate such systems, regarding technical, environmental, and economic aspects. Finally, we assess the challenges and research opportunities for the industrial implementation of CO2 reduction via electrolysis.},
doi = {10.1016/j.isci.2021.102813},
journal = {iScience},
number = 7,
volume = 24,
place = {United States},
year = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021},
month = {Thu Jul 01 00:00:00 EDT 2021}
}

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