NEXTECH MATERIALS, LTD. — Department of Energy SBIR Phase II: 10c

Description

As the US and economies worldwide drive to decarbonize energy systems, there is a pressing need for low tozero carbon intensity liquid fuels for light and heavy transportation. Current petroleumbased fuels are exceptionally energy dense and inexpensive, but they are CO2 intensive, with transportation producing 28% of the US CO2 emissions. Lowcarbon/carbon neutral fuel synthesis has traditionally been considered too expensive to compete with petroleum fuels. Now, as the US looks to cut ambitiously CO2 emissions, there is intense interest in new, lowcost, and efficient processes to replace petroleumbased fuels. Biofuels are promising alternatives, being carbon neutral with net zero CO2 emissions but the cost and complexity of biogas to liquids BTL reactors have made them uncompetitive versus fuels from petroleum or natural gastoliquids. Recently, Nexceris, Washington State University, and Tonkomo LLC have shown the potential of Nexceris’ HeatPathTM catalyst support to reduce the complexity, size, and cost of biogas to liquids systems. By redesigning the catalyst format, it is possible to reduce the energy input to the process, utilize CO2 as a reactant, and produce fuels that can be directly substituted for petroleumderived fuels in vehicles ranging from existing passenger cars and trucks to commercial vehicles and aircraft, which are very difficult to otherwise decarbonize. This Phase IIB will demonstrate a combined breadboard biogas to fuels process to produce high value, FT waxes and fuels from biogas, CO and steam, via simple tubular designs. The empirical data collected will inform models to support design and commercialization of HeatPath supported catalysts, reactors and low CAPEX/OPEX processes.