A Review of the Use of Electrolytic Cells for Energy and Environmental Applications

Ana P. R. A. Ferreira, Raisa C. P. Oliveira, Maria Margarida Mateus and Diogo M. F. Santos ()
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Ana P. R. A. Ferreira: Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Raisa C. P. Oliveira: Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Maria Margarida Mateus: Center for Natural Resources and the Environment, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal
Diogo M. F. Santos: Center of Physics and Engineering of Advanced Materials, Laboratory for Physics of Materials and Emerging Technologies, Chemical Engineering Department, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049-001 Lisbon, Portugal

Energies, 2023, vol. 16, issue 4, 1-33

Abstract: There is a significant push to reduce carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions and develop low-cost fuels from renewable sources to replace fossil fuels in applications such as energy production. As a result, CO 2 conversion has gained widespread attention as it can reduce the accumulation of CO 2 in the atmosphere and produce fuels and valuable industrial chemicals, including carbon monoxide, alcohols, and hydrocarbons. At the same time, finding ways to store energy in batteries or energy carriers such as hydrogen (H 2 ) is essential. Water electrolysis is a powerful technology for producing high-purity H 2 , with negligible emission of greenhouse gases, and compatibility with renewable energy sources. Additionally, the electrolysis of organic compounds, such as lignin, is a promising method for localised H 2 production, as it requires lower cell voltages than conventional water electrolysis. Industrial wastewater can be employed in those organic electrolysis systems due to their high organic content, decreasing industrial pollution through wastewater disposal. Electrocoagulation, indirect electrochemical oxidation, anodic oxidation, and electro-Fenton are effective electrochemical methods for treating industrial wastewater. Furthermore, bioenergy technology possesses a remarkable potential for producing H 2 and other value-added chemicals (e.g., methane, formic acid, hydrogen peroxide), along with wastewater treatment. This paper comprehensively reviews these approaches by analysing the literature in the period 2012–2022, pointing out the high potential of using electrolytic cells for energy and environmental applications.

Keywords: water electrolysis; CO 2 reduction; hydrogen production; wastewater treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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