Commercialization of CO2 Electrolysis By Haldor Topsoe

Abstract

Electrolysis is an enabling technology for Power-to-X solutions, where X can be hydrogen or other chemicals, such as carbon monoxide (CO). When electrolysis is combined with renewable electricity, the production of fuels and chemicals can be decoupled from fossil resources which paves the way for an energy system based on 100% renewable energy. It is Haldor Topsoe’s vision to be recognized as a global leader in carbon emission reduction technologies by 2024 and electrolysis technologies will play a key role in achieving this goal. Compared to other electrolysis technologies, SOEC allows for the conversion of CO2 into useful chemicals (such as CO) at very high efficiencies and at a faradaic yield of 100% (1,2). Haldor Topsoe is commercializing the CO2 electrolysis technology under the tradename eCOsTM: a platform for on-site, on-demand CO generation from CO2 feedstock for customers requiring a reliable and safe feed of carbon monoxide at a scale of up to 1000 Nm3/h. Two identical eCOsTM plants, each with a capacity of 96 Nm3 CO/h will be commissioned in 2021 in Ohio, USA (Fig 1). Once in operation, these two plants will not only be the largest SOEC plants in the world, but also the first SOEC plants sold and operated on fully commercial terms (i.e. without the need for subsidies) (3). Furthermore, with a total active cell area of around 40 m2, the plants will be hitherto the largest demonstration of direct electrochemical conversion of CO2 into chemicals. In this paper, progress towards the commissioning of the two eCOs plants will be reported, as well as stack- and system-level tests demonstrating long-term operation in dry CO2 electrolysis.