A systematic life cycle assessment of the electroconversion of carbon dioxide

Abstract

In this study, we report a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment of assembling and operating an electrochemical cell for conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) to formic acid. This process is followed by product separation via liquid–liquid extraction. The results suggest that cell operation yields the highest environmental impact cf. other processes. Parametric studies were performed to identify conditions that minimize the environmental impact. It was found that:(i)the stability of cell components, durability of cell performance, and cell operating parameters (e.g., current density or cell voltage) play a pivotal role on the carbon emissions;(ii)the optimal parameters include stable operation for at least 4,000 h at (ultrahigh) current densities (0.50–1.00 A cm−2);(iii)through use of renewable energy sources zero carbon emissions may be achieved only if high cell performance conditions are met; and.(iv)the cumulative carbon emissions were predicted during the entire life cycle of the system (4,000 h), while modelling cell aging and corresponding decrease in performance. Here, the use of renewable energy is of outmost importance to achieve climate change mitigation.