Beyond electrolysis: old challenges and new concepts of electricity-driven chemical reactors

Abstract

With renewable electricity becoming the most widespread, flexible, and accessible form of energy on Earth, electrification of chemical processes presents one of the most promising transition paths to low-carbon-footprint, environmentally-neutral manufacturing of fuels and chemicals. The current paper provides a critical perspective on the entire spectrum of chemical and catalytic reactors, in which electricity plays different roles targeting either the reaction mechanism or the thermal energy supply. Related challenges and necessary developments to address those challenges are discussed.