Integrating CO2 Electrolyzers in Electrochemical Plants: Heat Integration, Techno-Economic Analysis, and Life Cycle Assessment of the Production of 1-Butene from CO2
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2024
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Other Conference Item
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Abstract
Efforts to mitigate climate change have increased interest in utilizing CO2 as a sustainable feedstock within the chemical industry [1]. Recent progress in electrochemical CO2 reduction, facilitated using renewable electricity sources, presents a promising avenue for synthesizing valuable C2+ chemicals [2]. While the initial focus has been on the development of electrolyzers, recent research has broadened to include process design and downstream separation techniques [3]. However, the question remains how to integrate feedback from process design back into electrolyzer development.
This work introduces a feedback loop from process design to electrolyzer development. The loop combines process modeling, heat integration, techno-economic analysis, and life cycle assessment.
The resulting workflow is demonstrated for the CO2 electroreduction to ethylene and subsequent dimerization to 1-butene [4]. From the analysis, we derive development targets for CO2 electrolyzers. We assess the significance of cell voltage and Faradaic efficiency, highlighting that single-pass conversion minimally impacts overall process feasibility. Moreover, we emphasize the benefits of integrating electrolyzers with downstream and upstream units.
In summary, we combine electrolyzer development and process systems engineering perspectives by bridging the scales from electrolyzers to integrated processes with economic and sustainability objectives. This study illustrates the integration of a process-oriented approach into technology advancement for an electrified chemical industry.
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published
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2024 AIChE Annual Meeting Proceedings
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American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Event
AIChE Annual Meeting 2024
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09696 - Bardow, André / Bardow, André
02668 - Inst. f. Energie- und Verfahrenstechnik / Inst. Energy and Process Engineering
Notes
Conference lecture held on October 29, 2024.
Funding
180544 - NCCR Catalysis (phase I) (SNF)