The reverse water gas shift reaction: a process systems engineering perspective

The catalytic reduction of CO2 into value-added products has been considered a compelling solution for alleviating global warming and energy crises. The reverse water gas shift (RWGS) reaction plays a pivotal role among the various CO2 utilization approaches, due to the fact that it produces syngas, the building block of numerous conversion processes. Although a lot of work has been carried out towards the development of a RWGS process, ranging from efficient catalytic systems to reactor units, and even pilot scale processes, there is still a lack of understanding of the fundamental phenomena that take place at the various levels and scales of the process. This contribution presents the main solutions and remaining challenges for a structured, trans- and multidisciplinary framework in which catalysis engineering and process systems engineering can work together to incorporate understanding and methods from both sides, to accelerate the investigation, creation and operation of an efficient industrial CO2 conversion process based on the RWGS reaction.