EUBCE 2024 - Richard PADI - Evaluating the Technical Efficiencies and Emissions Reduction Potential of CO Platform Molecule Produce from CO2 Captured from Municipal Sewage Sludge Waste-To-Energy Systems Via Thermochemical and El

Evaluating the Technical Efficiencies and Emissions Reduction Potential of CO Platform Molecule Produce from CO2 Captured from Municipal Sewage Sludge Waste-To-Energy Systems Via Thermochemical and El

Short Introductive summary

Carbon monoxide (CO) is an important C1 platform molecule with enormous market potentials as a raw material for fuels (e.g., alcohols) and chemicals (e.g., acrylic acid/phosgene). This study investigates the energy/carbon efficiencies and GHG mitigation potentials of integrating thermochemical/electrochemical CO2 to CO conversions into municipal sewage sludge (MSS) waste-to-energy systems as compared to the status quo of producing the CO via partial oxidation of natural gas and MSS incineration without energy recovery. The electrochemical CO2-to-CO conversion technologies are at early development stages (TRL 1-4) with minimal reports on their environmental impacts. Thus, Aspen Plus process simulations were employed to provide mass and energy inventory estimates, which are then applied to perform ex-ante life cycle assessments of the MSS incineration to CO systems. The study therefore serves as a first estimate of the environmental impacts at an early technology development stage, which can provide insights on energy/environmental hotspots to steer future research on technology/process improvements for sustainable developments.

R. Padi, Utrecht University, THE NETHERLANDS
L. Shen, Utrecht University, THE NETHERLANDS