(Invited) Carbon Capture and Utilization Research at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL)

Abstract

This talk will describe NETL’s ongoing research efforts in the areas of carbon capture and utilization, with a focus on materials design and in situ characterization to understand the system under working conditions. A brief overview will be given on NETL-developed sorbents and membranes that can capture/separate CO2 emissions from industrially-relevant streams. Once captured, the CO2 can be chemically converted into gaseous or liquid chemicals for down-stream upgrading into industrially relevant chemicals. A key requirement is the ability to utilize excess, carbon-free electricity and operate intermittently, and NETL has developed several electrically-driven reaction schemes. We have developed copper electrocatalysts that selectively convert CO2 and water into syngas (CO + H2) without the need for expensive metals, such as silver or gold. The syngas can then be upgraded into a variety of chemicals using current industrial processes. Converting CO2 into liquid products is also attractive due to advantages associated with easier storage and transport. Formic acid (formate) is one candidate with current agricultural and industrial uses, and it is also an emerging liquid hydrogen carrier. We have demonstrated unique three-dimensionally-structured tin oxide catalysts that convert CO2 into formate with high current densities (~500 mA/cm2) and good Faradaic efficiencies (~70% FE). Electrocatalyst efforts have also developed surface-science approaches to study precious metal-free catalysts to replace traditional IrO2 used in electrolyzer anodes, which will reduce precious metal requirement and lower the overall system cost. Finally, we will discuss emerging microwave-based catalyst systems that convert CO2 and CH4 into syngas with energy efficiencies that approach or exceed state-of-the-art electrochemical CO2 reduction and water splitting technologies.