Electrification and carbon capture technologies are essential for achieving net-zero emissions in the chemical sector. A crucial strategy involves converting captured CO₂ into CO, a valuable chemical feedstock. This study evaluates the feasibility of two innovative methods: plasma activation and electrolysis, using clean electricity and captured CO₂. Specifically, it compares a gliding arc plasma reactor with an embedded novel carbon bed system to a modern zero-gap type low-temperature electrolyser. The plasma method stood out with an energy cost of 19.5 GJ per tonne CO, marking a 43% reduction compared to electrolysis and conventional methods. CO production costs for plasma- and electrolysis-based plants were $671 and $962 per tonne, respectively. However, due to high uncertainty regarding electrolyser costs, the CO production costs in electrolysis-based plants may actually range from $570 to $1392 per tonne. The carbon bed system in the plasma method was a key factor in facilitating additional CO generation from O₂ and enhancing CO₂ conversion, contributing to its cost-effectiveness. Challenges for electrolysis included high costs of equipment and low current densities. Addressing these limitations could significantly decrease production costs, but challenges arise from the mutual relationship between intrinsic parameters, such as CO₂ conversion, CO₂ input flow, or energy cost. In a future scenario with affordable feedstocks and equipment, costs could drop below $500 per tonne for both methods. While this may be more challenging for electrolysis due to complexity and expensive catalysts, plasma-based CO production appears more viable and competitive.

中文翻译：

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通过等离子体和电解将二氧化碳转化为二氧化碳：技术经济和能源成本分析

电气化和碳捕获技术对于实现化工行业的净零排放至关重要。一个关键策略是将捕获的CO ₂转化为CO（一种有价值的化学原料）。本研究评估了两种创新方法的可行性：等离子体活化和电解，使用清洁电力和捕获的CO ₂。具体来说，它将带有嵌入式新型碳床系统的滑移电弧等离子体反应器与现代零间隙型低温电解槽进行了比较。等离子法的能源成本为每吨 CO 19.5 GJ，比电解法和传统方法降低了 43%。等离子工厂和电解工厂的二氧化碳生产成本分别为每吨 671 美元和 962 美元。然而，由于电解槽成本的高度不确定性，电解工厂的二氧化碳生产成本实际上可能在每吨 570 美元到 1392 美元之间。等离子体法中的碳床系统是促进O ₂产生更多CO并提高CO ₂转化率的关键因素，有助于提高其成本效益。电解面临的挑战包括设备成本高和电流密度低。解决这些限制可以显着降低生产成本，但挑战来自内在参数之间的相互关系，例如CO ₂转化率、CO ₂输入流量或能源成本。在未来原料和设备价格实惠的情况下，这两种方法的成本可能会降至每吨 500 美元以下。虽然由于复杂性和昂贵的催化剂，这对于电解来说可能更具挑战性，但基于等离子体的二氧化碳生产似乎更可行且更具竞争力。