Energy to Molecules and Materials (E2M2): Intermediate Temperature Electrosynthesis of Intermediates, Fuels and Chemicals Using Protonic Ceramic Electrochemical Cells (PCECs)

Abstract

Energy and chemical industry showed increasing interest in energy to molecules and materials (E2M2) due to the widely available distributed feedstock and energy input (renewable and/or nuclear energy associated electricity and excess heat). These factors offer new opportunities to those technologies with smaller scale, modularized/distributed, and driven by an integrated system of renewable and other energy sources that can show promise for increased productivity with decreased energy, capital, and operating costs. Intermediate temperature electrosynthesis through solid oxide cells is a promising strategy because of the following advatanges: (1) it can control the product selectivity by changing the operating potentials and temperatures, (2) it can be operated at ambient pressure, (3) it has high production rate and low overpotential, and (4) it can be easily integrated with power and heat from nuclear energy and renewables. Despite of these promising features, this technology still faces many challenges that include but not limited to immature process, relatively low catalyst activity, and unproven operation durability. At Idaho National Laboratory, we have made significant achievements on electrosynthesis of intermediates, fuels and chemicals using natural gas, steam, carbon dioxide and nitrogen through protonic ceramic membrane reactors. The research outcomes have the potential to establish a globally competitive U.S. industry for converting the Nation’s abundant supply of feedstock into conversion-ready intermediates and/or high demand fuels and chemicals.