What is the key objective of the project CO2EXIDE?
The key objective of the project is the development of an electrochemical-chemical, energy efficient and near-to-CO2-neutral process for the production of the bulk chemical ethylene oxide from CO2 and renewable energy.
What is the principle of power-to-X, CO2-to-chemicals and other concepts alike?
Power-to-X refers to various technologies for the use of surplus electricity in times of (future) oversupply of fluctuating renewable energies such as solar energy, wind energy and hydropower for the production of energy carriers or chemicals. In particular, the technologies are used to link up the electricity, heat, mobility and chemicals sectors via effective sector coupling.
Link: https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/sites/jrcsh/files/Blondelle%20DG%20RTD.pdf
Link: https://www.kopernikus-projekte.de/en/projects/power2x
How does electrochemical synthesis work?
Electrosynthesis in chemical manufacture is the synthesis of chemical compounds in an electrochemical cell. The main advantage of electrosynthesis over an ordinary redox reaction is avoidance of the potentially wasteful other side reactions and the ability to precisely tune the required power input to achieve the chemical reaction, thereby avoiding unnecessary energy usage.
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/journal/current-opinion-in-electrochemistry
Book: Allen J. Bard, Larry R. Faulkner (2000): Electrochemical Methods. Fundamentals and Applications, John Wiley & Sons. ISBN: 978-0-471-04372-0.
What is meant by the new approach of a “simultaneous electrochemical reaction“?
Simultaneous electrocatalytic conversion in CO2EXIDE targets the production of value-added chemicals in both half-cells, ethylene at the cathode and hydrogen peroxide at the anode. A half-cell is half of an electrolytic or voltaic cell, where either oxidation or reduction occurs.
What are the targeted products and which inputs are required?
The targeted product is the bulk chemical ethylene oxide, including derived products like polyethylene glycol via a near-to-CO2-neutral revolutionary production process. The required inputs are, water, CO2 as carbon source and the conversion process is driven by renewable electricity. CO2EXIDE is targeting a cutting-edge, environmentally friendly, and energy-efficient electrocatalytic production approach.
What are the main utilisations for the produced chemical ethylene oxide?
Ethylene oxide (EO) is a key raw material for making a range of speciality chemicals that find application across many industrial sectors including textiles, agrochemicals, coatings, automotive, pharmaceuticals, leather, animal feed, colorants, petroleum etc. … In 2016, the global EO capacity was 34.5 million tons/a, with the CAGR of 4.3% in 2011-2016.
Link: https://www.chemarc.com/content/ethylene-oxide–a-versatile-chemical/599d68e5f607c744996eeb57
What are the expected long-term impacts of the project CO2EXIDE?
The substitution of fossil-based production routes of ethylene oxide including derived side and intermediate products (hydrogen peroxide, methane, ethylene, …) with new and innovative electrochemical synthesis strategies for regional supply of renewable bulk chemicals. Due to the flexibility of the processes, a wide range of chemicals can be produced. A successful CO2EXIDE project has the potential to provide a clean, sustainable and flexible way to transform renewable electricity into chemicals for various applications while helping to strengthen our independence from fossil resources.