Diagram of Aircapture process for converting CO2 into electrochemical methanol for less than $800/tonne.

Project Description

AirCapture LLC will design, construct, and operate a process for the production of carbon-neutral methanol (MeOH) from carbon dioxide (CO₂) captured from air via an integrated system of direct air capture (DAC) and electrochemical MeOH production. This will be achieved through the following activities: (1) conduct a conceptual design and feasibility study with a technology gap analysis on the proposed direct air capture and carbon utilization (DACCU) integrated process to produce carbon-neutral MeOH from atmospheric CO₂; (2) build and conduct integrated system lab-scale validation of the DACCU system; (3) perform a cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis (LCA) and techno-economic analysis (TEA) to determine the environmental sustainability and cost-effectiveness of the technology; (4) quantify how deployment of the proposed technology will promote and prepare a ready workforce for clean energy and manufacturing jobs and coordinate with community stakeholders to develop a Quality Jobs Plan, a Diversity Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Plan, a Justice40 Plan Development Proposal, and a Community and Stakeholder Engagement Plan Development Proposal.

Project Benefits

The Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) Program is fostering the development of a diverse set of advanced CDR technologies (e.g., DAC with durable storage, biomass carbon removal and storage, enhanced mineralization, ocean-based CDR, etc.). The program is advancing approaches for green methanol production that utilize carbon-free hydrogen and atmospheric CO₂ provided by DAC to make progress toward achieving $800/tonne carbon-neutral MeOH. Conceptual design and feasibility studies that assess the viability of carbon-neutral MeOH production, in addition to laboratory validation tests of down-selected technologies in an integrated continuous system, will support these goals.

Presentations, Papers, and Publications

• CO2 to Methanol with Solid Polymer Electrolytes and Composite Electrodes in Stackable Zero-gap Electrochemical Cells (CO2eMeOH)
  Project Kickoff Meeting Presentation

Contact Information