Fig. 5: The proposed integration of the ECS and the ERSS and the techno-economic and energy costs analysis.

a Flowchart demonstration of the integration of the ECS and the ERSS, including the ECS zone, the CO₂ capture zone, and the ERSS zone. After conducting cathodic CO₂R coupled with anodic oxidation of an organic substance in alkaline electrolytes in the ECS zone, both the effluent catholyte and anolyte are transferred to the CO₂ absorption towers in the CO₂ capture zone to adsorb CO₂ from flue gas or air, respectively. Once the effluent catholyte and anolyte are saturated by CO₂, they will be transferred into two separate ERSS units in the ERSS zone for CO₂ release collection and product separation. The recovered KOH solution from ERSS can be re-utilized as the electrolyte for ECS, and the captured CO₂ can be supplied as a source for ECS. b Schematic diagram demonstrating an operation cycle, including electrocatalytic CO₂R, CO₂ capture, electrolyte recycling, and product separation. c Techno-economic analysis on the operation of the ERSS, assuming 1 tone of KOH is treated daily. d The energy cost of the ERSS system for 1-ton KOH recovery operated under different voltages.