CO2 Emission Minimization from Syngas-based Processes and Downstream Utilization

Global warming has forced governments all over the planet to reduce their domestic greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 being the major contributor). As a result, ambitious targets have been introduced to reduce the emissions from Syngas-based processes. This includes the development of technologies to capture the CO2 from existing chemical plants (or directly from air), and either sequester it or utilize it to make value-added products. Such technologies are well known within the chemical industry but still not widely commercialized, largely because of the cost. Despite these technologies being under development, there is still room for improvement to make these more efficient, attractive, and ultimately commercially viable. The conversion of captured CO2 into valuable chemicals and fuels (e.g., methanol, formic acid) should create economic incentives to facilitate the commercialization of these technologies. To support this, more research to optimize CO2 conversion reactions is required, with catalytic pathways that enhance the efficiency and selectivity being particularly important. Therefore, the added benefit of creating “value-from-waste” must be balanced against the greater challenge of implementation.

There have been great efforts in recent years to improve technologies for carbon capture by optimizing the design or by changing the operating parameters to improve the performance. In addition, new and/ or hybrid methods have been developed that have improved efficiency and lower operational cost. This Research Topic aims to highlight new engineering approaches to improve the performance of CO2 capture technologies targeting the existing syngas-based processes, and to promote research towards developing novel methods to capture the CO2. We also wish to explore how downstream catalytic conversion of captured CO2 can improve the economic feasibility of these technologies, while also meeting the demand for sustainable production of chemicals and fuels. Most importantly, collaboration among scientists, engineers, and policymakers is vital to meld advanced research with societal challenges, expediting CO2 storage and utilization implementation at scale. This multifaceted approach will be pivotal in driving CCUS.

We welcome research work in the form of Original Research, Review, Mini-review, and perspective articles on themes including, but not limited to:
• Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS) process design, simulation, and optimization
• Novel carbon capture processes and hybrid systems combining adsorption/ absorption, chemical looping, membrane separation, cryogenic techniques
• Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies
• Catalytic conversion of captured CO2 to access value-added chemicals
• Life-cycle analysis and environmental risks associated with CCUS
• Economic analysis and feasibility of CCUS technologies
• Future market potential for CCUS technologies
• Socio-economic impact of CCUS technologies

Keywords: carbon dioxide, sequestration, Carbon Capture and Utilization, Carbon Capture and Storage, Waste gas valorization, Sustainable process development, (photo)catalysis

Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.