What Should We Make with CO2 and How Can We Make It?
To understand the economic viability of certain target molecules, we performed a simplified techno-economic analysis that considers the costs of CO2, electricity, separation, capital and maintenance, and operation, and the known product selectivity; and that outputs the levelized cost of the chemical produced. Results of this analysis for several target molecules are given in Figure 2. The argument for energy storage can be justified by analyzing the currently achievable combination of crucial performance parameters, FE, and current density (Figure 2B), which suggests a focus on small-molecule C1 and C2 products. Energy conversion efficiency aside, the adoption of any CO2RR to fuel process will ultimately be determined by market forces; and currently these also favor the production of short-chain molecules. Recent analyses point to CO and formic acid as economically viable and atom-economic targets.20 By benchmarking cost parameters to the commercial hydrogen electrolyzers (cost of $500/kW and energy conversion efficiency of 60%), fixing the electricity cost at 2/kWh (expected to be achievable using renewable sources), assuming a CO2 cost of 30$/ton and performing levelized cost calculations, we add ethylene glycol and propanol as economically attractive targets. The cost of CO2, which is sensitive to parameters such as capture expenses, transportation, and, in some countries, taxation, serves as another crucial input parameter for economical CO2RR. The interplay between the costs of electricity and input CO2 on reduction of CO2 to CO can be assessed in Figure 2C. It can be concluded from this preliminary analysis that, even at the current level of CO2RR technology, CO2 reduction could potentially be made economical with access to low-cost renewable electricity. Advances in CO2 reduction to higher value products such as ethylene glycol and propanol holds even greater economic promise. With the cost <28$/ton and hydroelectricity in quebec, co2 solution is already a sucess source : https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/s2542-4351(17)30076-4 https://www.zmescience.com/ecology/environmental-issues/carbon-conversion-make-power-plants-emission-free-within-next-century/ on="" and="" hydroelectricity="" in="" quebec,="" co2="" solution="" is="" already="" a="" sucess="" source="" :="" https://www.cell.com/joule/fulltext/s2542-4351(17)30076-4="">