DEVELOPMENT OF CO2 ELECTROCHEMICAL CONVERSION REACTOR SYSTEM DESIGN

• Main Author: Melvianus, Andrew
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/81995
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The increasing number of motor vehicle users is directly proportional to the increasing global population. The use of fossil fuels in motor vehicles contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, which can lead to the phenomenon of global warming. Therefore, it is necessary to find appropriate ways and measures to address this problem. Many technologies have been developed to reduce greenhouse gas levels, especially CO2. However, most of these technologies are still relatively expensive and limited to carbon capture and storage processes. Therefore, a technology is needed that can convert CO2 gas into more valuable compounds. One such technology is the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to formic acid. Specifically, this research aims to further investigate the current efficiency and formic acid yield by developing a reactor design. If successful, this research is expected to assist in scaling up the electrochemical CO2 reduction reactor. This study aims to develop a reactor system design with a CO2 absorber and a PEM cell reactor. The electrochemical reduction of CO2 utilizes a Pb-Sn alloy as the cathode and a Pt-Ir alloy as the anode. The catholyte used is 0.5 M KHCO3, while the anolyte used is 0.1 M H2SO4. The variations in the parameters studied include the volume of KHCO3 solution at 200 and 400 mL, CO2 flow rate at 100 and 150 mL/min, the number of cells being 2 and 3 cells, and the electrode shape being either wire or plate. Anode morphology characterization was performed using SEM, and formic acid product analysis was conducted using HPLC. The experimental results indicate that optimal operating conditions are crucial for reaction efficiency. The volume of KHCO3 solution affects CO2 absorption, concentration, and the mass of formic acid product. A higher CO2 flow rate does not always increase CO2 conversion and actually decreases current efficiency. Adding more cells does not provide a significant increase in terms of formic acid mass or conversion. Additionally, the morphology of the electrode greatly influences the efficiency of the electrochemical reaction.