Revealing the GHG reduction potential of emerging biomass-based CO₂ utilization with an iron cycle system

Abstract

● Greenhouse gas mitigation by biomass-based CO₂ utilization with a Fe cycle system.

● The system including hydrothermal CO₂ reduction with Fe and Fe recovery by biomass.

● The reduction potential quantified by experiments, simulations, and an ex-ante LCA.

● The greatest GHG reduction potential is −34.03 kg CO₂-eq/kg absorbed CO₂.

● Ex-ante LCA supports process optimization to maximize GHG reduction potential.

CO₂ utilization becomes a promising solution for reducing anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Biomass-based CO₂ utilization (BCU) even has the potential to generate negative emissions, but the corresponding quantitative evaluation is limited. Herein, the biomass-based CO₂ utilization with an iron cycle (BCU-Fe) system, which converts CO₂ into formate by Fe under hydrothermal conditions and recovers Fe with biomass-derived glycerin, was investigated. The GHG reduction potential under various process designs was quantified by a multidisciplinary method, including experiments, simulations, and an ex-ante life-cycle assessment. The results reveal that the BCU-Fe system could bring considerable GHG emission reduction. Significantly, the lowest value is −34.03 kg CO₂-eq/kg absorbed CO₂ (−2.44 kg CO₂-eq/kg circulated Fe) with the optimal yield of formate (66%) and Fe (80%). The proposed ex-ante evaluation approach not only reveals the benefits of mitigating climate change by applying the BCU-Fe system, but also serves as a generic tool to guide the industrialization of emerging carbon-neutral technologies.

Graphical abstract

Keywords

Carbon dioxide utilization / Hydrothermal reactions / Biomass-based CO ₂ reduction / Simulation / Ex-ante LCA

References

[1] Abdelnaby M M , Liu K , Hassanein K , Yin Z . (2021). Photo/electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion into C₃₊ hydrocarbons: reactivity and selectivity. ChemNanoMat: Chemistry of Nanomaterials for Energy, Biology and More, 7(9): 969–981

[2] Álvarez A , Bansode A , Urakawa A , Bavykina A V , Wezendonk T A , Makkee M , Gascon J , Kapteijn F . (2017). Challenges in the greener production of formates/formic acid, methanol, and DME by heterogeneously catalyzed CO₂ hydrogenation processes. Chemical Reviews, 117(14): 9804–9838

[3] Babin A , Vaneeckhaute C , Iliuta M C . (2021). Potential and challenges of bioenergy with carbon capture and storage as a carbon-negative energy source: a review. Biomass and Bioenergy, 146: 105968

[4] Broman G I , Robèrt K H . (2017). A framework for strategic sustainable development. Journal of Cleaner Production, 140: 17–31

[5] Bruinsma O, Spoelstra S (2010). Heat pumps in distillation. Engineering, Environmental Science, 15: 165086145

[6] Bulushev D A , Ross J R H . (2018). Towards sustainable production of formic acid. ChemSusChem, 11(5): 821–836

[7] Castillo Martinez F A , Balciunas E M , Salgado J M , Domínguez González J M , Converti A , Oliveira R P D S . (2013). Lactic acid properties, applications and production: a review. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 30(1): 70–83

[8] Cheng Y , Shan Y , Xue Y , Zhu Y , Wang X , Xue L , Liu Y , Qiao F , Zhang M . (2022). Variation characteristics of atmospheric methane and carbon dioxide in summertime at a coastal site in the South China Sea. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(11): 139

[9] Chin S Y , Shahruddin S , Chua G K , Samsodin N , Setiabudi H D , Karam Chand N S , Chew F N , Leong J X , Jusoh R , Samsudin N A . (2021). Palm oil-based chemicals for sustainable development of petrochemical industries in Malaysia: progress, prospect, and challenges. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(19): 6510–6533

[10] Delidovich I , Hausoul P J , Deng L , Pfutzenreuter R , Rose M , Palkovits R . (2016). Alternative monomers based on lignocellulose and their use for polymer production. Chemical Reviews, 116(3): 1540–1599

[11] Dincer I . (2012). Green methods for hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37(2): 1954–1971

[12] Duo J , Jin F , Wang Y , Zhong H , Lyu L , Yao G , Huo Z . (2016). NaHCO₃-enhanced hydrogen production from water with Fe and in situ highly efficient and autocatalytic NaHCO₃ reduction into formic acid. Chemical Communications (Cambridge), 52(16): 3316–3319

[13] Dusselier M , Van Wouwe P , Dewaele A , Makshina E , Sels B F . (2013). Lactic acid as a platform chemical in the biobased economy: the role of chemocatalysis. Energy & Environmental Science, 6(5): 1415–1442

[14] Feng X , Pi Y , Song Y , Brzezinski C , Xu Z , Li Z , Lin W . (2020). Metal-organic frameworks significantly enhance photocatalytic hydrogen evolution and CO₂ Reduction with earth-abundant copper photosensitizers. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 142(2): 690–695

[15] Frischknecht R , Jungbluth N , Althaus H J , Doka G , Dones R , Heck T , Hellweg S , Hischier R , Nemecek T , Rebitzer G , Spielmann M . (2005). The ecoinvent database: overview and methodological framework (7 pp). International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 10(1): 3–9

[16] Gong X , Li J , Chang S X , Wu Q , An Z , Huang C , Sun X , Li S , Wang H . (2022). Cattle manure biochar and earthworm interactively affected CO₂ and N₂O emissions in agricultural and forest soils: Observation of a distinct difference. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(3): 39

[17] He R , Hu B , Zhong H , Jin F , Fan J , Hu Y H , Jing Z . (2019). Reduction of CO₂ with H₂S in a simulated deep-sea hydrothermal vent system. Chemical Communications (Cambridge), 55(8): 1056–1059

[18] Huijbregts M a J , Steinmann Z J N , Elshout P M F , Stam G , Verones F , Vieira M , Zijp M , Hollander A , Van Zelm R . (2017). ReCiPe2016: a harmonised life cycle impact assessment method at midpoint and endpoint level. The International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 22(2): 138–147

[19] Igos E, Benetto E, Meyer R, Baustert P, Othoniel B (2019). How to treat uncertainties in life cycle assessment studies? International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 24(4): 794–807

[20] Iyer S S , Bajaj I , Balasubramanian P , Hasan M M F . (2017). Integrated carbon capture and conversion to produce syngas: novel process design, intensification, and optimization. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 56(30): 8622–8648

[21] Jin F , Gao Y , Jin Y , Zhang Y , Cao J , Wei Z , Smith R L Jr . (2011). High-yield reduction of carbon dioxide into formic acid by zero-valent metal/metal oxide redox cycles. Energy & Environmental Science, 4(3): 881–884

[22] Khoo H H , Halim I , Handoko A D . (2020). LCA of electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to ethylene. Journal of CO₂ Utilization, 41: 101229

[23] Lacirignola M , Blanc P , Girard R , Pérez-López P , Blanc I . (2017). LCA of emerging technologies: addressing high uncertainty on inputs’ variability when performing global sensitivity analysis. Science of the Total Environment, 578: 268–280

[24] Li J , Zhu P , Zhong H , Yang Y , Cheng J , Wang Y , Jin F . (2021). Hydrothermal reduction of NaHCO₃ into formate with protein-based biomass over Pd/γ-Al₂O₃ nanocatalysts. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(13): 4791–4800

[25] Liu Y , Deng D , Bao X . (2020). Catalysis for selected C1 chemistry. Chem, 6(10): 2497–2514

[26] Lu J , Kumagai S , Fukushima Y , Ohno H , Borjigin S , Kameda T , Saito Y , Yoshioka T . (2021). Sustainable advance of Cl recovery from polyvinyl chloride waste based on experiment, simulation, and ex ante life-cycle assessment. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 9(42): 14112–14123

[27] Lu J , Kumagai S , Fukushima Y , Ohno H , Kameda T , Saito Y , Yoshioka T . (2020). Combined experiment, simulation, and ex-ante LCA Approach for sustainable Cl recovery from NaCl/Ethylene Glycol by electrodialysis. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(45): 20112–20122

[28] Lu J , Kumagai S , Ohno H , Kameda T , Saito Y , Yoshioka T , Fukushima Y . (2019). Deducing targets of emerging technologies based on ex ante life cycle thinking: case study on a chlorine recovery process for polyvinyl chloride wastes. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 151: 104500

[29] Lu J , Tang J , Shan R , Li G , Rao P , Zhang N . (2023). Spatiotemporal analysis of the future carbon footprint of solar electricity in the United States by a dynamic life cycle assessment. iScience, 26(3): 106188

[30] Madi M , Tahir M , Tasleem S . (2021). Advances in structural modification of perovskite semiconductors for visible light assisted photocatalytic CO₂ reduction to renewable solar fuels: a review. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9(5): 106264

[31] Martens J A , Bogaerts A , De Kimpe N , Jacobs P A , Marin G B , Rabaey K , Saeys M , Verhelst S . (2017). The chemical route to a carbon dioxide neutral world. ChemSusChem, 10(6): 1039–1055

[32] Moustakas N G , Strunk J . (2018). Photocatalytic CO₂ reduction on TiO₂-based materials under controlled reaction conditions: systematic insights from a literature study. Chemistry – A European Journal, 24(49): 12739–12746

[33] Peters J F , Iribarren D , Dufour J . (2015a). Biomass pyrolysis for biochar or energy applications? A life cycle assessment. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(8): 5195–5202

[34] Peters J F , Iribarren D , Dufour J . (2015b). Simulation and life cycle assessment of biofuel production via fast pyrolysis and hydroupgrading. Fuel, 139: 441–456

[35] Kiss A A . (2014). Energy efficient distillation powered by heat pumps upgrading low quality energy to drive the Reboiler of the column. NPT Procestechnologie, 2: 15–17

[36] Ruiz C , Rincón L , Contreras R R , Sidney C , Almarza J . (2020). Sustainable and negative carbon footprint solid-based NaOH technology for CO₂ capture. ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering, 8(51): 19003–19012

[37] Sabri M A , Al Jitan S , Bahamon D , Vega L F , Palmisano G . (2021). Current and future perspectives on catalytic-based integrated carbon capture and utilization. Science of the Total Environment, 790: 148081

[38] Silvestre B S , Ţîrcă D M . (2019). Innovations for sustainable development: moving toward a sustainable future. Journal of Cleaner Production, 208: 325–332

[39] Stegmann P , Daioglou V , Londo M , Van Vuuren D P , Junginger M . (2022). Plastic futures and their CO₂ emissions. Nature, 612(7939): 272–276

[40] Tan Y , Nookuea W , Li H , Thorin E , Yan J . (2016). Property impacts on Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) processes: a review. Energy Conversion and Management, 118: 204–222

[41] Tan Y , Nookuea W , Li H , Thorin E , Yan J . (2017). Evaluation of viscosity and thermal conductivity models for CO₂ mixtures applied in CO₂ cryogenic process in carbon capture and storage (CCS). Applied Thermal Engineering, 123: 721–733

[42] The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (2022). IPCC, 2022: summary for policymakers. In: Climate change 2022: Impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability: contribution of working group II to the sixth assessment report of the intergovernmental panel on climate change. Cambridge, UK and New York, NY, US, pp. 3–33

[43] Thonemann N , Schulte A . (2019). From laboratory to industrial scale: a prospective LCA for electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to formic acid. Environmental Science & Technology, 53(21): 12320–12329

[44] Villares M , Işıldar A , Van Der Giesen C , Guinée J . (2017). Does ex ante application enhance the usefulness of LCA? A case study on an emerging technology for metal recovery from e-waste. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 22(10): 1618–1633

[45] Von Der Assen N , Voll P , Peters M , Bardow A . (2014). Life cycle assessment of CO₂ capture and utilization: a tutorial review. Chemical Society Reviews, 43(23): 7982–7994

[46] Wang F , Deng S , Zhang H , Wang J , Zhao J , Miao H , Yuan J , Yan J . (2020a). A comprehensive review on high-temperature fuel cells with carbon capture. Applied Energy, 275: 115342

[47] Wang W , Wang S , Ma X , Gong J . (2011). Recent advances in catalytic hydrogenation of carbon dioxide. Chemical Society Reviews, 40(7): 3703–3727

[48] Wang X , Yang Y , Zhong H , He R , Cheng J , Jin F . (2020b). In situ formed Raney-Ni/Fe₃O₄ catalyzed reduction of NaHCO₃ into acetate with Fe as reductant in water. Catalysis Today, 350: 136–141

[49] Wei W , Larrey-Lassalle P , Faure T , Dumoulin N , Roux P , Mathias J D . (2015). How to conduct a proper sensitivity analysis in life cycle assessment: taking into account correlations within LCI Data and Interactions within the LCA calculation model. Environmental Science & Technology, 49(1): 377–385

[50] Wei Y M , Han R , Wang C , Yu B , Liang Q M , Yuan X C , Chang J , Zhao Q , Liao H , Tang B , Yan J , Cheng L , Yang Z . (2020). Self-preservation strategy for approaching global warming targets in the Post-Paris Agreement Era. Nature Communications, 11(1): 1624

[51] Wernet G , Bauer C , Steubing B , Reinhard J , Moreno-Ruiz E , Weidema B . (2016). The ecoinvent database version 3 (part I): overview and methodology. International Journal of Life Cycle Assessment, 21(9): 1218–1230

[52] Wölfel R , Taccardi N , Bösmann A , Wasserscheid P . (2011). Selective catalytic conversion of biobased carbohydrates to formic acid using molecular oxygen. Green Chemistry, 13(10): 2759–2763

[53] Xu Q , Li X , Pan T , Yu C , Deng J , Guo Q , Fu Y . (2016). Supported copper catalysts for highly efficient hydrogenation of biomass-derived levulinic acid and γ-valerolactone. Green Chemistry, 18(5): 1287–1294

[54] Xue N , Lu J , Gu D , Lou Y , Yuan Y , Li G , Kumagai S , Saito Y , Yoshioka T , Zhang N . (2023). Carbon footprint analysis and carbon neutrality potential of desalination by electrodialysis for different applications. Water Research, 232: 119716

[55] Yang M , Feng X , Liu G . (2016). Heat integration of heat pump assisted distillation into the overall process. Applied Energy, 162: 1–10

[56] Yang Y , Zhong H , He R , Wang X , Cheng J , Yao G , Jin F . (2019). Synergetic conversion of microalgae and CO₂ into value-added chemicals under hydrothermal conditions. Green Chemistry, 21(6): 1247–1252

[57] Yang Y , Zhong H , Yao G , He R , Jin B , Jin F . (2018). Hydrothermal reduction of NaHCO₃ into formate with hexanehexol. Catalysis Today, 318: 10–14

[58] Ye W , Huang J , Lin J , Zhang X , Shen J , Luis P , Van Der Bruggen B . (2015). Environmental evaluation of bipolar membrane electrodialysis for NaOH production from wastewater: conditioning NaOH as a CO₂ absorbent. Separation and Purification Technology, 144: 206–214

[59] Zhang D , Hou R , Wang W , Zhao H . (2022). Recovery and reuse of floc sludge for high-performance capacitors. Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, 16(6): 78

[60] Zhao X , Zhou H , Sikarwar V S , Zhao M , Park A H A , Fennell P S , Shen L , Fan L S . (2017). Biomass-based chemical looping technologies: the good, the bad and the future. Energy & Environmental Science, 10(9): 1885–1910

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Higher Education Press