| Intensified Catalytic Conversion of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) into High-Value Chemicals |  |  |
Project Information
| Prime Performer: | University of Kentucky (Lexington, KY) | Agreement Number: | FE0031920 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project Duration: | 10/01/2020 - 03/31/2023 | Total Award Value: | $1,250,097 | |
| Technology Area: | Catalytic Pathway | DOE Share: | $999,984 | |
| Key Technology: | Electrochemical Conversion | Performer Share: | $250,113 | |
Project Description
The University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research (UK CAER) will develop an enhanced bimetallic oxide carbon utilization process (EBOCU) that uses an engineered catalyst to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) to formic acid via an electrochemical reaction. The overall goals of the project are to develop and test a novel electro-catalyst for the selective production of formic acid from coal-derived CO2 feedstocks (as an alternative to the current practice of production from methanol), enhance the stability of the electrochemical reactor using robust electrodes, and intensify the productivity of the electrochemical reactor using pressurized operation. The project team will develop a lab-scale proof-of-concept pressurized electrochemical reactor (up to 3 bar), combined with a platinum-iridium anode and a novel copper-based cathode that are immobilized on the surface of a corrosion-stable carbon xerogel, for selective formic acid production at high rates. The electro-catalytic apparatus will be operated with simulated flue gas to evaluate the impact of contaminants and optimize performance. The stability of the electro-catalyst, membranes, electrodes, and other system components will be evaluated during long-term operation. UK CAER will complete techno-economic and life-cycle analyses of the EBOCU process and will assess the cost of constructing a commercial-scale electrochemical cell.
Project Benefits
The utilization of CO2 from power generation systems or other industrial sources to create valuable products that display beneficial aspects when compared to commercially available products will partially offset the cost of carbon capture while reducing net CO2 emissions. The development of technologies that use CO2 as a primary feedstock to generate environmentally sustainable and economic products, such as the synthesis of value-added organic products, the production of inorganic materials (i.e., solid carbon products and concrete/cement), and the cultivation of microalgae, will support cost-effective implementation of carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) throughout the utility and industrial sectors.
Presentations, Papers, and Publications
- Intensified Catalytic Conversion of CO2 into High-Value Chemicals (Nov 2020)
Project kick-off meeting presentation
Contact Information
|