Joint SIAAP, Veolia, Collège de France and CEA research project on the conversion of CO₂ into synthetic methane.

Wednesday May 28 was the closing meeting of an ambitious research project jointly undertaken by SIAAP, Veolia, the Collège de France and the Commissariat à l’Énergie Atomique et aux Énergies Alternative (CEA).

Launched in 2022, a project jointly led by the Syndicat Interdépartemental pour l’Assainissement de l’Agglomération Parisienne – SIAAP, Veolia, the Collège de France and CEA, aimed to develop an innovative device for the electrocatalytic conversion of CO₂ into synthetic methane and methanol, via the intermediate production of formic acid. This R&D partnership is part of a major drive to recover biogenic CO₂ emitted during wastewater treatment and its by-products, in particular the biogas produced during sludge digestion.

The research carried out has enabled a compact, modular solution to be developed and tested on the scale of experimental prototypes. Eventually, this system could be deployed not only in wastewater treatment plants, but also in other facilities such as incineration or methanization units.

At the heart of this project is the optimization of conversion conditions to achieve high efficiency and selectivity, two essential factors for an efficient recovery of CO₂ :

• A demonstration of the conversion of CO₂ into formic acid and then methanol is now operational on a laboratory scale.
• A proof of concept for a new methane route is also shown.

Beyond the technological innovations, this project illustrates the ability of the wastewater treatment sector to develop innovative treatment methods, to meet the challenges of climate change by providing concrete, sustainable solutions for local communities.

See the joint press release SIAAP – VEOLIA – Collège de France – CEA.

Reference :

• Nathan De Riggi (NIMBE/LCMCE) Phd thesis: “CO2 reduction to methane and methanol using formic acid as a key intermediate“, October 2^nd, 2024