Overall mass balance evaluation of electrochemical reactors: The case of CO2 reduction

Martijn J.W. Blom; Wim P.M. van Swaaij; Guido Mul; Sascha R.A. Kersten

doi:10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135460

Overall mass balance evaluation of electrochemical reactors: The case of CO₂ reduction

Martijn J.W. Blom, Wim P.M. van Swaaij, Guido Mul, Sascha R.A. Kersten^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

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Abstract

The overall mass balance of an electrochemical reactor is a key factor in determining the economic potential of a process. We provide a method to estimate the overall mass balance and electrolyte composition of electrochemical conversion systems and apply it to several CO₂ conversion systems. Next to the reactions at the electrodes, the influence of transport across the membrane and homogeneous reactions are considered. It is thereby shown that potassium bicarbonate – an often proposed electrolyte for aqueous CO₂ reduction - does not provide the conditions required for CO₂ conversion to formic acid. The requirements for an electrolyte that does result in that conversion are described. The simplicity and versatility of the simplified method and the necessity of establishing a complete mass balance make the method a valuable addition to the electrochemist's toolbox.

Original language	English
Article number	135460
Journal	Electrochimica acta
Volume	333
Early online date	10 Dec 2019
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.electacta.2019.135460
Publication status	Published - 10 Feb 2020

Keywords

UT-Hybrid-D
Electrolyte selection
Formate
Formic acid
Mass balance evaluation
Electrochemical CO reduction

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This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

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Cite this

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title = "Overall mass balance evaluation of electrochemical reactors: The case of CO2 reduction",

abstract = "The overall mass balance of an electrochemical reactor is a key factor in determining the economic potential of a process. We provide a method to estimate the overall mass balance and electrolyte composition of electrochemical conversion systems and apply it to several CO2 conversion systems. Next to the reactions at the electrodes, the influence of transport across the membrane and homogeneous reactions are considered. It is thereby shown that potassium bicarbonate – an often proposed electrolyte for aqueous CO2 reduction - does not provide the conditions required for CO2 conversion to formic acid. The requirements for an electrolyte that does result in that conversion are described. The simplicity and versatility of the simplified method and the necessity of establishing a complete mass balance make the method a valuable addition to the electrochemist's toolbox.",

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AB - The overall mass balance of an electrochemical reactor is a key factor in determining the economic potential of a process. We provide a method to estimate the overall mass balance and electrolyte composition of electrochemical conversion systems and apply it to several CO2 conversion systems. Next to the reactions at the electrodes, the influence of transport across the membrane and homogeneous reactions are considered. It is thereby shown that potassium bicarbonate – an often proposed electrolyte for aqueous CO2 reduction - does not provide the conditions required for CO2 conversion to formic acid. The requirements for an electrolyte that does result in that conversion are described. The simplicity and versatility of the simplified method and the necessity of establishing a complete mass balance make the method a valuable addition to the electrochemist's toolbox.

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