Catalyst technology for scalable and high-efficiency power-to-liquid fuel systems

Team: Matthew Kanan, Simon Bare
Mid-range (Developing)

The technology advanced by this project has the transformative potential to enable production of carbon-neutral liquid fuels on a scale needed to supply major transportation sectors and improve global energy security and equity. The technology is a first-of-its kind catalyst that is intended for use in power-to-liquid fuel (PtL) systems. The most promising PtL designs combine water electrolysis to make hydrogen (H2), reverse water-gas shift (RWGS) to convert H2 and carbon dioxide into syngas (H2 and carbon monoxide), and a syngas conversion technology to turn syngas into liquid fuel. Unfortunately, current catalyst technologies for RWGS require extreme operating conditions that complicate integration with the other components of PtL systems and also increase capital expenditures. To address this challenge, Stanford scientists invented a metal-free “dispersed carbonate” RWGS catalyst that offers high activity in an intermediate temperature range (450-750 C), 100% selectivity for RWGS, and tolerance of impurities, all with ultra-low-cost materials. 

The overall goal of this Sustainability Accelerator-funded project was to advance the catalyst technology toward commercial demonstration with external partners. Working with two of the world’s largest catalyst manufacturers, the research team established the manufacturability of the dispersed carbonate catalysts, evaluated them under industrially relevant conditions, and refined the formulation of the catalysts to optimize performance. The technology is now being scaled and piloted with external partners as part of PtL systems that utilize different downstream syngas conversion technologies.