posted on 2023-12-29, 19:10authored byAndrés Raya-Imbernón, Angelika A. Samu, Stefan Barwe, Giuseppe Cusati, Tamás Fődi, Balázs M. Hepp, Csaba Janáky
The production of
syngas (i.e., a mixture of CO and H2) via the electrochemical
reduction of CO2 and water can
contribute to the green transition of various industrial sectors.
Here we provide a joint academic–industrial perspective on
the key technical and economical differences of the concurrent (i.e.,
CO and H2 are generated in the same electrolyzer cell)
and separated (i.e., CO and H2 are electrogenerated in
different electrolyzers) production of syngas. Using a combination
of literature analysis, experimental data, and techno-economic analysis,
we demonstrate that the production of synthesis gas is notably less
expensive if we operate a CO2 electrolyzer in a CO-selective
mode and combine it with a separate PEM electrolyzer for H2 generation. We also conclude that by the further decrease of the
cost of renewable electricity and the increase of CO2 emission
taxes, such prepared renewable syngas will become cost competitive.