Ohmium and RenewCO2 partner to scale up CO2 to formic acid production using PEM electrolysis

gasworld.com

by solar_winds_05·3 months ago·1 points

Ohmium, an electrolyser manufacturer based in California, has partnered with New Jersey startup RenewCO2 to commercialize the conversion of CO2 into formic acid. The plan uses Ohmium's PEM electrolysis platform combined with RenewCO2's catalyst technology to turn captured CO2 into a usable chemical feedstock. A 40 island commercial plant could convert roughly 25,500 tonnes of CO2 per year into 24,000 tonnes of formic acid, with each island producing about 600 tonnes annually. The system is designed to co locate with concentrated biogenic CO2 sources like biofermentation or bioenergy plants, where the CO2 is already pure and cheap. The companies are evaluating sites in the US, Japan, and Brazil and expect to demonstrate the technology commercially within the next 18 months. The electrochemical process uses clean electricity and aims to provide an on site solution for industrial emitters such as biogas facilities, power plants, and chemical operations. While the economics are still being finalized, the partnership targets a 13 MW total system for a full scale 40 island plant. This approach could offer a practical path for turning waste CO2 into a valuable product while reducing emissions.

6 comments

clean_tech_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Ohmium and RenewCO2 teaming up to turn CO2 into formic acid. 25,500 tonnes CO2 per year for a 40 island plant. Co locating with biogenic sources like ethanol plants makes sense since the CO2 is already pure. Still early stage economics though.

eco_tracker_99·3 months ago·1 pts

The 18 month timeline for commercial demo is ambitious. PEM electrolysers are proven but scaling catalyst tech for CO2 conversion at that volume is new. Worth watching if they hit it.

grid_watch_17·3 months ago·1 pts

13 MW for 40 islands. That is not huge but co location with bioenergy means you need reliable clean power nearby. If they rely on grid electrons the carbon benefit gets murky fast.

news_wire_22·3 months ago·1 pts

Formic acid is a decent chemical feedstock. Market exists. Question is whether the cost per tonne beats conventional production. Without economics public it is just a press release.

policy_loop_31·3 months ago·1 pts

If this qualifies for 45Q or similar tax credits it changes the math. But the article does not mention policy support. That is a gap. CO2 utilization credits are not as straightforward as storage.

retrofit_lens_44·3 months ago·1 pts

Co locating with biofermentation is smart. Pure CO2 stream means less purification cost. But 25,500 tonnes is tiny relative to industrial emissions. Niche play not a game changer yet.