A Gross-Margin Model for Defining Technoeconomic Benchmarks in the Electroreduction of CO2

We introduce a gross-margin model to evaluate the technoeconomic feasibility of producing different C-1-C-2 chemicals such as carbon monoxide, formic acid, methanol, methane, ethanol, and ethylene through the electroreduction of CO2. Key performance benchmarks including the maximum operating cell potential (V-max), minimum operating current density (j(min)), Faradaic efficiency (FE), and catalyst durability (t(catdur)) are derived. The V-max values obtained for the different chemicals indicate that CO and HCOOH are the most economically viable products. Selectivity requirements suggest that the coproduction of an economically less feasible chemical (CH3OH, CH4, C2H5OH, C2H4) with a more feasible chemical (CO, HCOOH) can be a strategy to offset the V-max requirements for individual products. Other performance requirements such as j(min) and t(catdur) are also derived, and the feasibility of alternative process designs and operating conditions are evaluated.