Volume 10: Sustainable Energy Solutions for Changing the World: Part II

Life-cycle and economic assessments of carbon-based fuels production via electrolytic conversion from (bi)carbonate and CO2 Pengtao Yue, Zhongyin Kang, Qian Fu, Jun Li, Xun Zhu, Qiang Liao

Abstract

The energy consumption of carbon-based fuels production can be decrease through direct electrolytic (bi)carbonate conversion due to its lack of the energyextensive process (CO2 release, CO2 compression and production separation), compared to electrolytic gaseous CO2 conversion. In this study, life-cycle and economic assessments are performed to evaluate the energy conversion characteristics, environment impacts and economic benefits of CO production via the two pathways. The results show that the net energy input, greenhouse gas emissions and net present value of electrolytic (bi)carbonate conversion are 10.4905 GJ/(t CO2 gas), -0.6287 t CO2-eq/(t CO2 gas) and $ 42,264,560, respectively, whereas in CO production through electrolytic gaseous CO2 conversion, the corresponding values are 32.5314 GJ/(t CO2 gas), -0.2949 t CO2-eq/(t CO2 gas) and $52,917,640, respectively. Additionally, according to the sensitivity analysis, the cell voltage and Faradaic efficiency have the maximum effects on the net energy input and net present value. The greenhouse gas emissions are affected mainly by the efficiency capture. This study demonstrates the prospect and provides a theoretical direction to promote the technical and economic benefits of carbon-based fuels production via electrolytic conversion from (bi)carbonate

Keywords Life-cycle assessment, Economic assessment, Carbon-based fuels, Electrochemical CO2 reduction, Electrolytic (bi)carbonate conversion