Energy Requirements for Sustainable Olefin Production From CO2 via Electro‐ or Thermal Catalysis

Etzold B, Hungsberg M, Ebrahim‐Moghaddam M, Herold F, Dahmen N, Studt F (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Chemical Engineering & Technology Wiley

DOI: 10.1002/ceat.70034

Abstract

Direct electrochemical CO2 reduction as well as water electrolysis (WEL) combined with hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol (MeOH) and subsequent conversion to olefins are emerging as two possible pathways for sustainable olefin production. We provide an assessment of both routes such that they can be compared in terms of energy efficiency and projected costs. Through a sensitivity analysis, we identify bottlenecks and offer targets to achieve by catalysis design and engineers. At the current state, the electrocatalytic CO2 reduction has a much lower energy efficiency, requiring major improvements in the resulting overall cell potential and achieved faradaic efficiency. The MeOH route is mainly hampered by the overpotential required for WEL and the selectivity of olefin production, resulting in 50 kWh kg−1 of olefin.

Authors with CRIS profile

Bastian Etzold Lehrstuhl für Power-to-X-Technologien Felix Herold Lehrstuhl für Power-to-X-Technologien

Involved external institutions

Technische Universität Darmstadt DE Germany (DE) Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Etzold, B., Hungsberg, M., Ebrahim‐Moghaddam, M., Herold, F., Dahmen, N., & Studt, F. (2025). Energy Requirements for Sustainable Olefin Production From CO2 via Electro‐ or Thermal Catalysis. Chemical Engineering & Technology. https://doi.org/10.1002/ceat.70034

MLA:

Etzold, Bastian, et al. "Energy Requirements for Sustainable Olefin Production From CO2 via Electro‐ or Thermal Catalysis." Chemical Engineering & Technology (2025).

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