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Cited by 1,628CO2 Reduction Techniques and CatalystsCatalysts for Methane ReformingHybrid Renewable Energy Systems

General Techno-Economic Analysis of CO 2 Electrolysis Systems

Open access
Jouny, Matthew, Luc, Wesley, Jiao, Feng·2018·Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
DOI 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b03514
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Abstract

The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) has received significant attention in academic research, although the techno-economic prospects of the technology for the large-scale production of chemicals are unclear. In this work, we briefly reviewed the current state-of-the-art CO 2 reduction figures of merit, and performed an economic analysis to calculate the end-of-life net present value (NPV) of a generalized CO 2 electrolyzer system for the production of 100 tons/day of various CO 2 reduction products. Under current techno-economic conditions, carbon monoxide and formic acid were the only economically viable products with NPVs of $13.5 million and $39.4 million, respectively. However, higher-order alcohols, such as ethanol and n -propanol, could be highly promising under future conditions if reasonable electrocatalytic performance benchmarks are achieved (e.g., 300 mA/cm 2 and 0.5 V overpotential at 70% Faradaic efficiency). Herein, we established performance targets such that if these targets are achieved, electrochemical CO 2 reduction for fuels and chemicals production can become a profitable option as part of the growing renewable energy infrastructure.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

A generalized techno-economic model for CO2 electrolysis to 100 tons/day products finds CO and formic acid are the only profitable products under base-case current conditions, while n-propanol is most favorable under optimistic future assumptions. Selectivity and cell voltage are critical performance parameters, and current density becomes relatively unimportant above ~200–400 mA/cm².

Key findings

  • Base case: CO and formic acid were the only profitable products; other products were not profitable even yearly. Methane was not shown because its market value was lower than the CO2 price. Optimistic case: n-propanol was most favorable, and methanol was the only product with a negative NPV.
  • Product value per electron: formic acid was highest at 16.1×10⁻³ $/electron; pure CO 8.0; n-propanol 4.8; ethanol 3.8; methanol 3.1; ethylene 3.0; syngas 0.8; methane 0.4. Annual global production: methane 250 Mtonne, syngas 150, ethylene 140, methanol 110, ethanol 77, formic acid 0.6, n-propanol 0.2.
  • Sensitivity: a $0.01/kWh change gave a $40 million NPV difference for n-propanol; for ethanol, lowering current density to 100 mA/cm² decreased NPV by $51 million, while raising it to 500 mA/cm² added only $10 million; a 50% reduction in formic acid separation costs gave an NPV of $97.1 million.
  • Performance targets for NPV $0 (IRR 7.5%): CO and formic acid can be profitable with relatively poor electrolyzer performance; n-propanol requires modest selectivity; ethanol and ethylene require high Faradaic efficiencies. CO2-derived ethanol had lower associated emissions than gasoline and comparable emissions to corn ethanol; reducing US energy-sector CO2 to formic acid would require ~1.5 TW, ~8% of world energy output.

Methods

  • Reviewed state-of-the-art CO2 reduction figures of merit (current density, Faradaic efficiency, energetic efficiency, stability) and built a techno-economic model for a generalized eCO2R plant producing 100 tons/day of each product, with material/energy balances, capital/operating costs, and end-of-life NPV cash flow over 20 years, 350 days/year, 2 weeks downtime.
  • Base case: electricity $0.05/kWh, current density 200 mA/cm², cell voltage 2.3 V, selectivity 90%, conversion 50%, CO2 $100/ton, interest 10%, electrolyzer cost $2830/m². Optimistic case: $0.03/kWh, 300 mA/cm², 2 V, CO2 $50/ton, interest 7.5%, electrolyzer cost $1415/m². Gas separation by PSA; liquid separation by distillation modeled in Aspen Plus; sensitivity analysis across ranges in Table 4.
  • Financial assumptions: construction first year, production second year; working capital 5% of capital investment; MACRS 10-year depreciation; 20% salvage value; base nominal interest 10%; effective income tax 40%.

Limitations

  • Stated: no commercially developed analogues for CO2 reduction make detailed analysis difficult; the model uses engineering approximations and assumptions based on existing technologies. CO2 electrolyzers exist only at bench scale and have no standard design; the model uses an alkaline water electrolyzer stack as representative.
  • Stated: most reported CO2 reduction studies are short (<5 h), so long-term stability over hundreds/thousands of hours is unknown; CO2 conversion is often not reported and most studies are batch/single-pass with <10% conversion, while the model assumes 50%. The impact of SOx/NOx on electrolyzer performance is not understood. The financial model excludes cost of sales, labor, and inflation; the emissions analysis excludes construction, steam, and heating.
  • Evident: base and optimistic cases assume 90% selectivity for all products, but the paper notes n-propanol Faradaic efficiency remains <5% and ethylene/ethanol were historically low, so the favorable alcohol/hydrocarbon cases depend on performance not yet demonstrated. Separation is modeled as a single distillation column with product leaving near azeotropic concentration; the paper notes more elaborate methods could allow higher purity.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b03514

Cites

81 of 81 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

0 of 17 cited sources checked · 0 supported · 0 flagged

  • Findingown data

    Carbon monoxide and formic acid are the most economically favorable CO2 reduction products under current conditions.

    “While carbon monoxide and formic acid were the most economically favorable products under current conditions, higher-order alcohols such as ethanol and n-propanol could be highly promising if reasonable electrocatalytic performance benchmarks were achieved.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    High Faradaic efficiencies can be achieved at the expense of current densities.

    “In general, high Faradaic efficiencies can be achieved at the expense of current densities, and majority of the energetic efficiencies for reduction CO2”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingnone given

    Majority of the energetic efficiencies for CO2 reduction were less than 60%.

    “majority of the energetic efficiencies for reduction CO2 were less than 60%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • Findingcitation

    In 2016, significant strides improved Faradaic efficiency for C2 products, achieving as high as 41% for ethylene and 63% for ethanol.

    “However, in 2016, significant strides have been made on improving the Faradaic efficiency for C2 products, achieving as high as 41% and 63% for ethylene and ethanol, respectively.67”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [67] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Findingreasoning

    It has been difficult to simultaneously achieve high current density, Faradaic efficiency, and energetic efficiency.

    “Overall, it has been difficult to simultaneously achieve high current density, Faradaic efficiency, and energetic efficiency, which illustrates that further efforts are needed to develop better CO2 reduction catalysts.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims. 34
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 23
  • The quote only partly states this claim. 1

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Methanol Faradaic efficiencies varied greatly from 30% to 98%, and only a few catalysts were reported to be methanol selective.

    “In the case of methanol, only a few catalysts were reported to be methanol selective and the reported methanol Faradaic efficiencies varied greatly from 30% to 98%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Methane had the highest annual production (250 million metric tons per year) and the lowest normalized market price (0.4 x 10^-3 $ electron^-1).

    “On the contrary, being a major source for power generation and domestic heating as well as having abundant sources of natural gas, methane had the highest annual production (250 million metric tons per year) and the lowest normalized market price (0.4 x 10 -3 $ electron -1 ).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Methane Faradaic efficiencies have been consistently low (<50%), with majority of these catalysts being Cu-based.

    “On the contrary, methane Faradaic efficiencies have been consistently low (<50%) with majority of these catalysts being Cu-based.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Majority of reported CO2 reduction studies were conducted under short timescales (<5 hrs).

    “It must be noted that majority of reported CO2 reduction studies were conducted under short timescales (<5 hrs), and thus long term stability in the range of hundreds or even thousands of hours are unknown.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Faradaic efficiencies for CO and formic acid have been consistently high (>80%), with majority of these catalysts being Ag and Sn-based for CO and formic acid production, respectively.

    “In the case of C1 products, Faradaic efficiencies for CO and formic acid have been consistently high (>80%) with majority of these catalysts being Ag and Sn-based for CO and formic acid production, respectively.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Ethylene and ethanol Faradaic efficiencies have been consistently low until recently, and majority of these catalysts were Cu-based.

    “In the case of C2 products, Faradaic efficiencies of ethylene and ethanol have, but not until recently, been consistently low and majority of these catalysts were also Cu-based.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    While distillation and PSA systems had similar capital investment requirements, PSA systems had a much lower operating cost.

    “It must be noted, that while the distillation and PSA systems had similar capital investment requirements, the PSA systems had a much lower operating cost.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • The quote only partly states this claim.

    Findingown data

    For the process to be profitable, the electrolyzer performance must lie to the right of the overpotential/selectivity performance curve for an end-of-life NPV of $0 (IRR of 7.5%).

    “For the process to be profitable, the electrolyzer performance must lie to the right of the curve.”
    • Also stated in: § 8. Catalyst Activity Targets · plain
      “Figure 7 shows the overpotential/selectivity performance curves for various products needed to obtain an end-of-life NPV of $0 (IRR of 7.5%).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    In the case of ethanol, a decrease in current density to 100 mA/cm2 resulted in a NPV decrease of $51 million, while an increase to 500 mA/cm2 only gave an extra $10 million.

    “In the case of ethanol, a decrease in current density to 100 mA/cm 2 resulted in a NPV decrease of $51 million, while an increase to 500 mA/cm 2 only gave an extra $10 million (Supplementary Figure S1).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    For all products other than CO and formic acid, electricity was the major operating cost, resulting in a strong economic dependence on the price of electricity.

    “For all products other than CO and formic acid, electricity was the major operating cost, resulting in a strong economic dependence on the price of electricity.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    This led to a lower power requirement and subsequently a lower electricity operating cost.

    “This led to a lower power requirement and subsequently a lower electricity operating cost.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Multiple passes were made before separation, as a small dilution of the CO2 feedstock did not significantly influence reactor performance.

    “Thus, multiple passes were made before separation, as a small dilution of the CO2 feedstock did not significantly influence reactor performance.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Reducing the cell voltage (overpotentials) lowered the overall power requirement, which significantly impacted products with high electricity operating cost fraction.

    “Reducing the cell voltage (overpotentials) lowered the overall power requirement, which significantly impacted products with high electricity operating cost fraction.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    A decrease in total current reduced the total electrolyzer area, resulting in a lower electrolyzer capital cost.

    “Also, a decrease in total current reduced the total electrolyzer area, resulting in a lower electrolyzer capital cost.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    At base case conditions, CO and formic acid were the only profitable products for the CO2 electrolysis system, whereas the other products were not even profitable on a yearly basis.

    “At the base case conditions, CO and formic acid were the only profitable products for the CO2 electrolysis system, whereas the other products were not even profitable on a yearly basis.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Findingnone given

    Faradaic efficiencies of 90% have been demonstrated for numerous CO2 reduction products such as CO, formic acid, and methanol.

    “As shown in Figure 2, Faradaic efficiencies of 90% have been demonstrated for numerous CO2 reduction products such as CO, formic acid, and methanol, and were assumed for these cases.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    Reducing this CO2 to a two-electron product like formic acid would require ~1.5 TW, which is equivalent to roughly 8% of the world's energy output.

    “Reducing this CO2 to a two-electron product like formic acid would require ~1.5 TW, which is equivalent to roughly 8% of the world's energy output.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    n-Propanol requires a modest selectivity, while ethanol and ethylene require relatively high Faradaic efficiencies.

    “However, n-propanol requires a modest selectivity, while ethanol and ethylene require relatively high Faradaic efficiencies.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    A lower reactor conversion resulted in a higher separation cost due to an increased amount of unconverted CO2 in the separation/recycle loop, and this consequentially increased the size/capital cost of the PSA system.

    “A lower reactor conversion resulted in a higher separation cost due to an increased amount of unconverted CO2 in the separation/recycle loop, and this consequentially increased the size/capital cost of the PSA system.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Under optimistic case assumptions, n-propanol production was the most favorable product, and methanol was the only product with a negative NPV.

    “The production of n-propanol was the most favorable product, with methanol being the only product with a negative NPV.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Findingnone given

    CO2 conversion is not often reported in the literature because most studies are performed in either a batch cell or single-pass flow cell with conversions less than 10%.

    “It must be noted that CO2 conversion is not often reported in the literature because most of studies are performed in either a batch cell or single-pass flow cell with conversions less than 10%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    Formic acid and CO benefited from a small power requirement, which reduced the cost of electricity and electrolyzer size.

    “In contrast, formic acid and CO benefited from a small power requirement, which reduced the cost of electricity and electrolyzer size.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Findingcitation

    The associated emissions with the electrochemical production of ethanol from CO2 are much less than those of gasoline, and comparable to ethanol derived from corn feedstocks, which is the current dominant production method.

    “As illustrated in Figure 8, the associated emissions with the electrochemical production of ethanol from CO2 are much less than those of gasoline, and comparable to ethanol derived from corn feedstocks, which is the current dominant production method.89”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [89] Wolf, D.; Schmidt, R.; Block, U.; Schoenmakers, H.; Bott, K.; Kaibel, G.,Production of anhydrous or substantially anhydrous formic acid. U.S. Patent US4326073 A, 1982.

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationnone given

    n-Propanol production is limited by the difficulty in production.

    “Turning to n-propanol, although this chemical is an industrially important chemical precursor, it had the lowest annual production (0.2 million metric tons per year) because it is limited by the difficulty in production.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The use of CO2 in an electrochemical conversion to create value added products could increase the economic viability of capture.

    “Furthermore, the use of CO2 in an electrochemical conversion to create value added products could also increase the economic viability of capture.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The CO2 stream likely needs to be of high purity for stable and efficient conversions.

    “The impact of these compounds on electrolyzer performance is not yet understood, but the CO2 stream likely needs to be of high purity for stable and efficient conversions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    Capture of CO2 from air has yet to be commercially developed.

    “Alternatively, the capture of CO2 from air has yet to be commercially developed, although a small demo facility by Climeworks in Switzerland recently opened.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    If n-propanol could be efficiently produced through CO2 reduction, it could supplant ethanol as a transportation fuel additive due to its higher energy density, greatly increasing its potential market share.

    “However, if n-propanol could be efficiently produced through CO2 reduction, it could supplant ethanol as a transportation fuel additive due to its higher energy density, greatly increasing its potential market share.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is no standard design for a CO2 electrolyzer cell, with several configurations reported.

    “Furthermore, there is no standard design for a CO2 electrolyzer cell with several configurations reported.[12][13]70”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [12][13]70

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    Capture of CO2 from air represents a net-reduction in CO2 as opposed to avoided emissions.

    “Furthermore, the capture of CO2 from air represents a net-reduction in CO2 as opposed to avoided emissions since the CO2 is being taken from the atmosphere.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Au, Ag, and Zn are selective towards producing CO, while Pb and Sn are selective towards producing formic acid.

    “Metals such as Au, Ag, and Zn were discovered to be selective towards producing CO while metals such as Pb and Sn were selective towards producing formic”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25][26]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Cu is the only metal that can reduce CO2 to C2 hydrocarbons and alcohols at appreciable levels.

    “Interestingly, Cu was the only metal that could reduce CO2 to C2 hydrocarbons and alcohols at appreciable levels.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25][26]

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisenone given

    In aqueous CO2 reduction, the hydrogen evolution reaction occurs in competition to the CO2 reduction reaction.

    “In addition, if CO2 reduction is performed in aqueous environment, then the undesirable hydrogen evolution reaction also occurs in competition to the CO2 reduction reaction (also listed in Table 1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Pressure swing adsorption is an industrially used process with low operating costs, high efficiency, and limited footprint.

    “For gas product separation, pressure swing adsorption is an industrially used process with low operating costs, high efficiency, and limited footprint.82”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [82] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    BASF utilizes a liquid-liquid extraction process to purify formic acid solutions up to 95% by weight.

    “Alternatively, BASF utilizes a liquid-liquid extraction process to purify formic acid solutions up to 95% by weight.86”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [86] Tamm D., 2013, SGC Rapport

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Distillation is used as the separation process for CO2 reaction liquid products, as alcohols are separated by distillation commercially.

    “Distillation was used as the separation process for the CO2 reaction liquid products, as alcohols are separated by distillation commercially.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Formic acid can be separated by distillation, although it is highly energy intensive due to the close boiling points of water and formic acid.

    “Formic acid can also be separated by distillation, although it is highly energy intensive due to the close boiling points of water and formic acid.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    A better electrolyzer design could potentially boost the CO2 conversion to 50%.

    “A better electrolyzer design could potentially boost the CO2 conversion to 50%.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    In CO2 electrolysis, non-precious metal catalysts are used, making an alkaline water electrolyzer comparison appropriate.

    “In CO2 electrolysis, non-precious metal catalysts are used, making the alkaline comparison appropriate.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Direct air capture of CO2 is still expensive.

    “Firstly, as discussed early, the direct air capture of CO2 is still expensive.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    As renewable energy sources such as solar and wind continue to become cheaper, the price of electricity could be as low as 0.02 $/kWh.

    “As renewable energy sources such as solar and wind continue to become cheaper, the price of electricity could be as low as 0.02 $/kWh.87”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [87] Persson M., 2006

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    A mixture of liquid C2-C3 alcohols would still be economically valuable under the optimistic case because ethanol was also favorable.

    “However, a mixture of these liquid C2-C3 alcohols would still be economically valuable since ethanol was also favorable under the optimistic case.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationreasoning

    A low conversion results in a more challenging product separation due to the unreacted CO2 in the reactor effluent that needs to be recycled.

    “A low conversion results in a more challenging product separation due to the unreacted CO2 in the reactor effluent that needs to be recycled.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The main difference between a CO2 electrolyzer and an alkaline water electrolyzer would be the electrolyzer design requiring a direct feed of CO2 to the catalyst surface, which would have a minimal cost difference.

    “The main difference would be the electrolyzer design requiring a direct feed of CO2 to the catalyst surface, which would have a minimal cost difference.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Although cheaper separation was an advantage for gaseous products, they will likely require additional compression for transportation/storage, which could increase costs significantly.

    “Although this cheaper separation was an advantage for gaseous products, they will likely require additional compression for transportation/storage, which could increase costs significantly.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Overall, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising technology that could play a significant role in the future renewable energy infrastructure if further strides are made.

    “Overall, the electrochemical reduction of CO2 is a promising technology that could play a significant role in the future renewable energy infrastructure if further strides are made.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The use of C2-C3 alcohols produced from eCO2R would allow for renewable energy sources to penetrate into the transportation and chemical sectors while potentially reducing GHG emissions.

    “and the use of C2-C3 alcohols produced from eCO2R would allow for renewable energy sources to penetrate into the transportation and chemical sectors while potentially reducing GHG emissions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    With continual efforts, the electrocatalytic performance benchmarks for these alcohols can be achievable.

    “However, with continual efforts, the electrocatalytic performance benchmarks for these alcohols can be achievable, and the use of C2-C3 alcohols produced from eCO2R would allow for renewable energy sources to penetrate into the transportation and chemical sectors while potentially reducing GHG emissions.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The small market potential for formic acid and the difficulty associated with storing/transporting gaseous products motivates the production of liquids such as ethanol and n-propanol.

    “However, the small market potential for formic acid and the difficulty associated with storing/transporting gaseous products motivates the production of liquids such as ethanol and n-propanol, which could be profitable under more favorable economic conditions in the future and may have a much higher market potential.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
    • Rests on an assumption: Formic acid has small market potential.
    • Rests on an assumption: Gaseous products have difficulty associated with storing/transporting.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Wind and solar have some associated emissions due to construction and maintenance.

    “Despite being”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [88] source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    For higher-order alcohols to become profitable, cheaper electricity costs and improved catalytic performance are needed.

    “For higher-order alcohols to become profitable, cheaper electricity costs and improved catalytic performance are needed.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
51 of 51

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Product price could fluctuate significantly over a 20-year period due to changes in market demand and development of new technologies.

    “Over a 20-year period, the product price could fluctuate significantly due to changes in market demand and development of new technologies.”

  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    Additional emissions from construction of facility materials and other process costs (steam, heating, etc.) are small compared to the electrical system.

    “Additional emissions would result from construction of the facility materials and other process costs (steam, heating, etc.), which were not considered as they are assumed to be small, compared to the electrical system.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Only lab-scale electrolyzer systems have been demonstrated.

    “although only lab-scale electrolyzer systems have been demonstrated.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Formic acid has small market potential.

    “the small market potential for formic acid”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Gaseous products have difficulty associated with storing/transporting.

    “the difficulty associated with storing/transporting gaseous products”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Liquids such as ethanol and n-propanol may have a much higher market potential.

    “may have a much higher market potential.”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Hydrocarbon and alcohol products have a much larger market potential compared to CO and formic acid.

    “as they have a much larger market potential compared to CO and formic acid.”
7 of 7

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Hori study is attributed to a different paper in the references

    Minor

    The text cites references 25 and 26 for Hori et al.'s 1985 study, but reference 25 lists Zhang et al. in 2014, not Hori et al. in 1985.

  • Figure 3 is cited as containing energetic-efficiency plots

    Minor

    The text assigns energetic-efficiency plots to Figure 3b and d, but Figure 3 is identified as a schematic of the process.

  • Pérez-Fortes analysis points to an unrelated reference

    Minor

    The cited reference 74 lists a paper by Ho et al. on power-plant carbon capture, rather than the Pérez-Fortes et al. formic-acid analysis named in the text.

3 of 3

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. IPCC, 2014, IPCC Fifth Assessment Synthesis Report
  2. Seider W. D., 2009, PRODUCT & PROCESS DESIGN PRINCIPLES: SYNTHESIS, ANALYSIS AND EVALUATION
  3. Tamm D., 2013, SGC Rapport, 270, 1
  4. Persson M., 2006, Biogas upgrading to vehicle fuel standards and grid injection
  5. Schlömer S., 2014, Climate change, 1329

Cited by

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Related

Authors
Jouny, M., Luc, W., & Jiao, F.
Affiliations
University of Delaware (US)
Corresponding author
Jiao, Feng
ORCID
Venue
Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Publisher
American Chemical Society (ACS)
Published
2018-02-05
Volume
57
Issue
6
Pages
2165-2177
ISSN
  • 0888-5885 (ISSN-L)
  • 1520-5045
DOI
10.1021/acs.iecr.7b03514
OpenAlex
W2784681531
Semantic Scholar
75dcf366681154f20035ef94f3919bad61867e87
Cited by
1,628
References
81
Citations by year
2026: 223 · 2025: 263 · 2024: 258 · 2023: 229 · 2022: 203 · 2021: 210 · 2020: 147 · 2019: 74 · 2018: 21
FWCI
26.06
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (publishedVersion)
  • OSTI OAI (U.S. Department of Energy Office of Scientific and Technical Information) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Office of Fossil Energy (DE-FE0029868)
  • Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems (CBET-1350911)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment › CO2 Reduction Techniques and Catalysts
  • Physical Sciences › Chemical Engineering › Catalysis › Catalysts for Methane Reforming
  • Physical Sciences › Energy › Energy Engineering and Power Technology › Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems
Keywords
electrochemical CO2 reduction, CO2 electrolysis, techno-economic analysis, net present value, carbon monoxide, formic acid, ethanol, 1-propanol, CO2 reduction products, renewable energy

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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