Electrical Reverse Shift: Sustainable CO 2 Valorization for Industrial Scale

Abstract

Utilization of CO 2 is a requirement for a sustainable production of carbon‐based chemicals. The reverse water‐gas‐shift (RWGS) can valorize CO 2 by reaction with hydrogen to produce a synthesis gas compatible with existing industrial infrastructure. Fully electrified reverse water‐gas‐shift (eRWGS™) was achieved using integrated ohmic heating and a nickel‐type catalyst at industrially relevant conditions. Using a feed of H 2 : CO 2 in a ratio of 2.25 at 10 barg, utilizing high temperature operation at 1050 °C allowed for production of a synthesis gas with a H 2 /CO ratio of 2.0 and no detectable methane, ideal for production of sustainable fuel by e.g. the Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. Facilitating RWGS through CH 4 as intermediate was found superior to the selective RWGS route, due to higher activity and suppression of carbon formation. The eRWGS™ catalyst is found to provide a preferential emissions‐free route for production of synthesis gas for any relevant H 2 /CO ratio, enabling production of sustainable carbon‐based chemicals from CO 2 and renewable electricity with high hydrogen and carbon efficiency.