Research Advancement of Energy to Molecules and Materials (E2M2) at Idaho National Laboratory

Abstract

Integrated Energy System (IES) is a core initiative at Idaho National Laboratory where energy to molecules and materials (E2M2) pillar plays a critical role, due to the widely available distributed feedstock, energy input (renewable and/or nuclear energy associated electricity and excess heat) as well as the resulting industrial electrification. 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 electrochemical processing through the solid oxide cells is a promising strategy because it can efficiently utilize electrons and heat while overcoming and/or mitigating the challenges of their lower and higher temperature counterparts, including 1) the use of precious metal; 2) sluggish kinetics; 3) fast degradation; 4) costly interconnect materials. 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.