Environmental Performances of Various CCU Options in the Framework of an Integrated Chemical Plant

A Prospective Life Cycle Assessment of Electrochemical CO2 Reduction to Selective Formic Acid and Ethylene

Converting CO₂ into valuable C₁ -C₂ chemicals through electrochemical CO₂ reduction (ECR) has potential to remedy the ever-increasing climate problems owing to the intensification of industrial activity. In this work, cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed to quantify the environmental impacts of formic acid (FA) and ethylene production through ECR benchmarked with the conventional processes. At the midpoint level, global warming potential (GWP) effects of FA and ethylene production through ECR recorded 5.6 and 1.6-times that of the conventional process, respectively. Although ECR currently has limited environmental benefits, the incorporation of hydropower has vast potential after evaluating four sustainable electricity sources, namely hydropower, wind, solar, and biomass. Notably, ECR to FA recorded a 24 % reduction in petrochemical usage. For ethylene production, human health damage, ecosystem damage, and petrochemical use were reduced by 67, 94, and 110 %, respectively. Sensitivity analysis indicated that a sustainable energy supply chain for ECR will accelerate the development of a circular economy.