Abstract
The integration of CO2 capture and conversion has the potential to decrease the capital and energetic cost of utilizing dilute CO2 streams. Herein we evaluate the overall energy efficiency for electrochemical conversion of dilute CO2 streams to product. Additionally, the energetic requirement for the use of intermediary sorbents for CO2 capture is described, which facilitates the comparison of catalyst efficiencies using the same sorbent in the context of initial CO2 concentration. We also introduce a parameter, ΔERCC, that evaluates the suitability of sorbents for dilute CO2 streams. These energetic considerations provide quantitative metrics for evaluating integrated CO2 capture and conversion systems.