热力学视角下的碳中和三问

Under the goal of carbon neutrality in 2060, the development of clean and renewable energy is imperative. However, it is challenging to overturn the energy foundation of the current industrial processes from fossil-based to renewable energy. The key problem lies in the unknown limits on material utilization and energy conversion of renewable energy. In this work, three questions on system and surrounding, heat and electricity, as well as the efficiency and rate were identified. Thermodynamics describing the process limits was used to analyze these questions and discuss the perspectives to achieve carbon neutrality. Based on green electricity converters, photoelectrochemical engineering, membrane separation and heat pumps, a conceptual blueprint of chemical industrial process reengineering was proposed, so as to provide a new perspective for chemical industry to understand and lay out the disruptive technologies required for carbon neutrality.