C1 chemistry for the production of ultra-clean transportation fuels and hydrogen
Currently, the research program is focused on C1 chemistry to produce transportation fuels from natural gas and synthesis gas produced from coal, biomass or waste.
C1 chemistry refers to reaction processes that use feedstocks that consist of molecules containing one carbon atom [synthesis gas (a mixture of CO and H2), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), carbon monoxide (CO), and methanol (CH3OH)]. The major objectives of the CFFS C1 program are to develop technology for the production of:
1. Ultra-clean, high efficiency, liquid transportation fuels; and
2. Hydrogen, the zero-emissions transportation fuel of the future.
Program Highlights and Future Directions
Some of the more interesting results obtained during the first three years of the CFFS C1 chemistry program are:
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Nanoscale iron-based catalysts containing molybdenum, palladium, or nickel supported on alumina have been developed that are very effective for the dehydrogenation of methane and ethane to produce pure hydrogen and carbon nanotubes. Pure hydrogen is the fuel required by vehicles powered by fuel cells, while carbon nanotubes show promise as a safe storage medium for hydrogen. Currently, this research is focused on dehydrogenation of higher hydrocarbons, including several liquids that are compatible with vehicular transportation under fuel cell power.
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Operation of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis under supercritical fluid (SCF) solvent conditions increases liquid fuel yields and increases the selectivity of the process to produce desired products. Under SCF conditions, gaseous diffusion and liquid thermal conduction conditions prevail. This makes tuning the molecular products by temperature and pressure variation feasible.
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Small additions (~1%) of organic probe molecules with carbon-carbon triple bonds to the FT reaction markedly shift the molecular weight distribution and increase the oxygenate content of the products. This research is being further pursued with the goal of developing technology for producing cleaner burning diesel fuel and other fuels.
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Several different types of catalyst are under investigation to develop better control of FT fuel products. These include platinum supported on tungstated-zirconia catalysts, which are very effective at cracking FT wax into diesel fuel and lube oil, and iron and cobalt containing sol-gel catalysts for more selective FT synthesis.
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C1 processes have been developed for producing ethylene and propylene, two high-value products, from methanol. Novel silica-aluminophosphate (SAPO) catalysts containing nickel are used.
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Binary transition tungsten-cobalt carbide catalysts have been found to have excellent activities and lifetimes for reforming of methane into synthesis gas using carbon dioxide. This type of catalyst is being further investigated for synthesis gas reactions relevant to the goal of producing hydrogen from coal and natural gas.
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Catalytic C1 processes have been developed to produce a number of performance-enhancing organic oxygenates for use as additives to diesel fuel.
Industrial Advisory Board
The Consortium is advised on its C1 chemistry program by an Industrial Advisory Board that includes members from Chevron, Eastman Chemical, Conoco-Phillips, the Department of Defense, and Teir Associates.
Waste Plastic and Tires
For several years, the CFFS conducted a research program on the conversion of waste polymers into transportation fuel.This research culminated in a feasibility study of a demonstration plant for the technology. A summary of that study is given in the attached article, which originally appeared in CHEMTECH, entitled Feasibility Study for a Demonstration Plant for Liquefaction and Coprocessing of Waste Plastic and Tires. The article includes a brief summary of the research and a fairly extensive bibliography of publications that resulted from the program.
Side Track
Acronym CFFS is also used by these other entities
Photographs
Some Photographs from the University of Kentucky group.