Influence of low-temperature electrolyser design on economic and environmental potential of CO and HCOOH production: A techno-economic assessment

The electrochemical conversion of excess CO2 into valuable chemicals, such as carbon monoxide (CO) and formic acid (HCOOH) offers the possibility combating climate change, while simultaneously providing sustainable raw materials for chemical industry. system design choice has large implications economic competitiveness processes. impact low-temperature electrolyser on potential CO HCOOH production was investigated alongside an environmental assessment required plants. Six different cell architectures were analysed in a base optimistic case scenario with target 75 100 tProduct/day, respectively, projected plant lifetime 25 years. While none managed to operate profitably case, modelling both yielded positive outcome. producing systems showed average 22% greater performance improvement compared HCOOH. act sink determined through analysis emissions due heat electricity demand well utilisation systems. requires clean maximum intensities 137 gCO2/kWh only 346 gCO2/kWh, which is above current EU mix 235 gCO2/kWh.