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Hybridization of Fossil‐ and CO 2 ‐Based Routes for Ethylene Production using Renewable Energy
Author(s) -
Ioannou Iasonas,
D'Angelo Sebastiano C.,
Martín Antonio J.,
PérezRamírez Javier,
GuillénGosálbez Gonzalo
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
chemsuschem
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.412
H-Index - 157
eISSN - 1864-564X
pISSN - 1864-5631
DOI - 10.1002/cssc.202001312
Subject(s) - carbon footprint , renewable energy , fossil fuel , greenhouse gas , carbon fibers , environmental science , natural resource economics , environmental economics , biochemical engineering , renewable resource , nanotechnology , chemistry , computer science , materials science , engineering , ecology , organic chemistry , economics , algorithm , composite number , biology , electrical engineering
Carbon capture and utilization (CCU) has recently gained broad interest in the chemical industry. Direct electro‐ and thermocatalytic technologies are currently the focus of intense research, where the former employs electricity directly to reduce the CO 2 molecule, while the latter comprises hydrogenation of CO 2 in tandem with electrocatalytic water splitting. So far, it remains unclear which of the two is superior, yet this information is considered critical. Focusing on the platform chemical ethylene, the two CCU routes were compared using state‐of‐the‐art performances with the fossil technology considering different power and CO 2 sources. The thermo‐route was found to be, at present, economically and environmentally better, yet under the same electrolyzer efficiencies, the electro‐route would become superior. CCU routes could substantially improve the carbon footprint of the fossil ethylene (by 236 %) while decreasing at the same time impacts on human health, ecosystem quality, and resources (64, 140, and 80 %, respectively). However, they are economically unattractive even when considering externalities (indirect cost of environmental impacts), that is, 1.7‐ to 3.9‐fold more expensive compared to the current fossil‐based analogue. Acknowledging this limitation, the concept of hybridization was applied as a means to smooth the transition towards more sustainable chemicals. Accordingly, it was found that an optimal hybrid plant could produce carbon‐neutral (cradle‐to‐gate) ethylene with a premium of only 30 % over the current market prices by judiciously combining CCU routes with fossil technologies.