Development of an Optimized Modular Electrochemical System to Convert Captured CO2 Into Potassium Formate as a De-icing Agent

GHG reduction targets are becoming increasingly ambicious. To achieve them, existing solutions (renewable electricity sources, electrification, tree planting, etc.) need to be combined with innovative technologies. One of these is CO2 capture, which raises a recurring question: What to do with the captured CO₂?

Electro Carbon offers an innovative solutions for the electrochemical conversion of CO2 into potassium formate, which is used in a variety of industrial applications, including as a de-icing agent for airport runways. The development of this technology poses a number of challenbges, mainly in regards to the electrochemical cells.

This collaborative project between the Centre National en électrochimie et en Technologies Environnementales (CNETE) and Electro Carbon aims to optimize the design of these cells to maximize electrochemical performance, from the manufacture of the electrodes to the configuration of cells. The project will also help to scale up the technology and validate potassium formate to current industry standards.

Through this project, Electro Carbon will be able to continue the development of its CO₂ electrolysers until they are marketed. Developing Electro Carbon's technology will help Quebec reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, grow its economy and strengthen its role as a leader in green technologies. In the long term, the success of this project will help secure supplies of strategic green chemicals through local production.