Electrical Reverse Shift: Sustainable CO₂ Valorization for Industrial Scale

Abstract

Utilization of CO₂ is a requirement for a sustainable production of carbon-based chemicals. The reverse water-gas-shift (RWGS) can valorize CO₂ 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 H₂ : CO₂ 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 H₂ /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 CH₄ 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 H₂ /CO ratio, enabling production of sustainable carbon-based chemicals from CO₂ and renewable electricity with high hydrogen and carbon efficiency.