posted on 2023-12-01, 21:04authored byThanh
Ngoc-Dan Cao, Seth W Snyder, Yu-I Lin, Yupo J Lin, Suraj Negi, Shu-Yuan Pan
Global warming, driven by the accumulation of anthropogenic
greenhouse
gases, particularly CO2, in the atmosphere, has garnered
significant attention due to its detrimental environmental impacts.
To combat this critical issue, the deployment of CO2 capture
and utilization (CCU) strategies has been considered as one of the
technology-based solutions, leading to extensive scientific and engineering
research. Electrochemical pH-swing (EPS) processes offer a promising
approach to diverse CCU pathways, such as the delivery of pure CO2 gas, the delivery of bicarbonate (e.g., for microalgae cultivation),
and the formation of carbonate minerals. In this study, we discuss
several CCU pathways using EPS and provide an in-depth analysis of
its mechanisms and potential applications, outlining its limitations
from both thermodynamic and kinetic standpoints. The EPS process has
demonstrated remarkable capabilities, achieving a CO2 capture
efficiency of over 90% and unlocking valuable opportunities for CCU
applications. We also develop an initial techno-economic assessment
and provide the perspectives and challenges for future development
and deployment of EPS. This study sheds light on the integration of
EPS with CCU, closing the carbon cycle by effectively utilizing the
products generated through the process, such as carbonate minerals
and bicarbonate solution. For instance, the bicarbonate product can
serve as a viable feedstock for bicarbonate-based microalgae production
systems, with the added benefit of reducing costs by 40–80%
compared to traditional gaseous CO2 delivery approaches.
By integration of electrochemical technologies with CCU methods, this
study underscores the immense potential for mitigating CO2 emissions and advancing sustainable practices to combat global warming.
This study not only addresses the urgent need for effective solutions
but also paves the way for a greener and more sustainable future.