REACTIVE INNOVATIONS, LLC — Department of Energy SBIR Phase I: 11c

Description

Technologies are being investigated to mitigate the effects of CO2 on the environment by capturing it and utilizing it as a reactant in other processes. Several technologies use plants and microbes to convert CO2 into useful fuels; however, there is a limit to the amount of CO2 that plants and microbes can process. Much research in this area has looked at the conversion of carbon dioxide into syngas and hydrocarbons using electrochemical processes. Although advancements have been made, the simultaneous optimization of the energetic efficiency of the process, the rate of conversion, and the product selectivity has not been achieved. Other technologies are needed to convert waste CO2 into value added products. In this Phase I program, Reactive Innovations LLC proposes to use a novel cold plasma reactor system to react carbon dioxide radicals with liquid water to form syngas and possibly other hydrocarbons Carbon dioxide conversion will be evaluated under different reactor configurations. Plasma reforming of carbon dioxide offers potential benefits for process intensification by focusing on low cost, modular technologies that overcome low economies of scale issues. During the Phase I program, RIL will design and build a novel cold plasma reactor and demonstrate the reaction of CO2 and liquid water to form value added products. The reactor will be evaluated for simulated flue gas streams as well as flue gas streams formed in the laboratory by the combustion of coal. The carbon efficiency and overall energy balance for the process will be evaluated. Utilizing CO2 as a feedstock for biofuel or bioproduct precursors would not only reduce emissions, but would allow for the displacement of virgin petroleum products used in making value added products such as syngas. The market for syngas and its derivatives t is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% between 2015 and 2020. Customers for this technology include companies who are looking to reduce their carbon footprint. The technology could be applied to small military and commercial coal burning facilities as well as cement and rubber manufacturing facilities.