We were uncertain how to introduce or preface this dispatch.
Some folksy, profanity-skirting quotes from coaches Bowden and Nehlen spring to mind, those seeming especially suitable on this auspicious fall Saturday. But, we decided, naw, if this doesn't earn the attention of the Coal Country press, if it doesn't get some people talking, we're more in need of someone from the WVU Med Center with a defibrillator than we are of a head coach from the stadium with a few gently-spoken and pithy exclamations.
We've previously reported on a technology known somewhat generically as "Syntrolysis"; a process wherein Carbon Dioxide and Water vapor are co-electrolyzed and transformed into a blend of Carbon Monoxide and Hydrogen, better known as synthesis gas, or "syngas", a composition that can, through one of a number of long-known processes, such as the venerable Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, be chemically condensed into liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons.
For some basic information and definitions, see:
Syngas - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; "Syngas (Synthesis Gas) is the name given to a gas mixture that contains varying amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The name comes from their use as intermediates in creating synthetic natural gas (SNG) and for producing ammonia or methanol. Syngas is also used as an intermediate in producing synthetic petroleum ... via the Fischer-Tropsch process"; and:
Fischer–Tropsch process - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; "The Fischer-Tropsch process or synthesis, is a collection of chemical reactions that converts a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen into liquid hydrocarbons".
For an introduction to "Syntrolysis", the co-electrolysis of Carbon Dioxide and Water, or Steam, see, for just two examples, our reports of:
West Virginia Coal Association | More USDOE CO2 "Syntrolysis" | Research & Development; concerning: "Co-Electrolysis of Steam and Carbon Dioxide for Production of Syngas; Fifth International Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology Conference; July, 2007; J.E. O'Brien, C.M. Stoots, et. al.; Idaho National Laboratory, USDOE; and Ceramatec, Inc., Utah; Abstract: An experimental study has been completed to assess the performance of single-oxide electrolysis cells ... simultaneously electrolyzing steam and carbon dioxide for the direct production of syngas. ... Syngas, a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, can be used for the production of synthetic liquid fuels via Fischer-Tropsch processes"; and:
West Virginia Coal Association | Utah 2011 CO2 + H2O = Hydrocarbon Syngas | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 8,075,746 - Electrochemical Cell for Production of Synthesis Gas Using Atmospheric Air and Water; 2011; Inventors: Joseph Hartvigsen, et. al., Utah; Assignee: Ceramatec, Inc., Salt Lake City; Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing synthesis gas from carbon dioxide obtained from atmospheric air or other available carbon dioxide source and water using a sodium-conducting electrochemical cell. Synthesis gas is also produced by the coelectrolysis of carbon dioxide and steam in a solid oxide fuel cell or solid oxide electrolytic cell. The synthesis gas produced may then be further processed and eventually converted into a liquid fuel suitable for transportation or other applications".
And, herein we learn that West Virginia University, at the very heart of US Coal Country, at the very core of misguided environmentalist ire, has established their own variation of such technology; technology that would enable the rest us - - should we ever be blessed enough to be told about it, should those charged with bringing us the news ever elect to actually bring us some real news, and, should we ever get motivated enough to get off our dead cans and do something about it - - to begin harvesting Carbon Dioxide from whatever handy source and to begin converting that Carbon Dioxide into liquid hydrocarbon fuels.
Comment follows excerpts from the initial link in this dispatch to the very recent publication of:
"United States Patent Application 20120228150 - CO2 Decomposition Via Oxygen Deficient Ferrite Electrodes Using Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell
Date: September 13, 2012
Inventors: Bruce S. Kang, Huang Guo and Gulfam Iqbal, Morgantown, WV
(As we've noted in other reports, the professional affiliations of inventors and/or ultimate Assignee of patent rights, if different from the inventors, are most often not named in early published versions of US patent applications. However, we assure you: Bruce S. Kang is a Professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE), College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University. Huang Guo is a post-doctoral research assistant at WVU; and, Gulfam Iqbal was or is both a student of and/or research assistant to Professor Kang. See:
West Virginia University will almost undoubtedly be the ultimate Assignee of Rights, when and if a United States Patent finally issues from this application. )
Abstract: Oxygen Deficient Ferrites (ODF) electrodes integrated with Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte, electrochemically decompose carbon dioxide (CO2) into carbon (C)/carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2) in a continuous process. The ODF electrodes can be kept active by applying a small potential bias across the electrodes. CO2 and water (H2O) can also be electrolyzed simultaneously to produce syngas (H2+CO) and O2 continuously that can be fed back to the oxy-fuel combustion. With this approach, CO2 can be transformed into a valuable fuel source allowing CO2 neutral use of the hydrocarbon fuels.
(Note that there are other uses for the "syngas", i.e., the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons, than just "oxy-fuel combustion".)
Claims: A method to decompose CO2 into C/CO and O2 using Oxygen Deficient Ferrites ... electrodes integrated with solid oxide electrolyser cell.
Background and Field: The present invention relates to the decomposition of carbon dioxide into carbon/carbon monoxide and oxygen via oxygen deficient ferrite (ODF) electrodes in a continuous process using solid oxide electrolyser cell (SOEC).
Another application is the co-electrolysis of CO2 and water to produce syngas for fuel or further processing.
(Again, the "further processing" of the "syngas" is of most interest to us; especially since a process like that seen in:
West Virginia Coal Association | Mobil Oil 1978 Coal Conversion with Zeolite Catalyst | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 4,086,262 - Conversion of Synthesis Gas to Hydrocarbon Mixtures; 1978; Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation; Abstract: Contacting a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen with an intimate mixture of a carbon monoxide reduction catalyst, such as a Fischer-Tropsch catalyst or a methanol synthesis catalyst, and an acidic crystalline aluminosilicate having a pore dimension greater than about 5 Angstroms to produce hydrocarbon mixtures useful in the manufacture of heating fuels, high octane gasoline, aromatic hydrocarbons, and chemicals intermediates"; should qualify.)
The generated O2 can be re-circulated to the oxy-fuel combustion that will reduce fuel demand and energy requirement for the Air Separator Unit (ASU).
(Or, again if we're dispensing with the "oxy-fuel combustion", the "generated O2" could be directed instead to another process, perhaps one operating a technology like that disclosed in our report of:
West Virginia Coal Association | Texaco 1951 Coal + CO2 + H2O + O2 = Syngas | Research & Development; concerning: "United States Patent 2,558,746 - Carbon Monoxide and Other Gases from Carbonaceous Materials; 1951; Assignee: The Texas Company; Abstract: This invention relates to a process and apparatus for the generation of gases comprising carbon monoxide from carbonaceous materials. In one of its more specific aspects it relates to a process and apparatus for the generation of a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, suitable as a feed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons, from powdered coal";
where it could support partial oxidation reactions between H2O, even more Carbon Dioxide, and Coal, to make even more "carbon monoxide and hydrogen", the "syngas (H2+CO)" specified by our subject, which Texaco affirms is "suitable as a feed for the synthesis of hydrocarbons".)
The attenuation of carbon-dioxide (CO2) concentration in the atmosphere has been an important ecological issue associated with the global warming. In order to mitigate this effect, Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), and CO2 decomposition technologies are being developed. Currently, CO2 is captured from flue gas by amine scrubbing or cryogenic separation. Amine scrubbing involves two steps: absorption of CO2 at lower temperature and release the captured CO2 to a storage unit at higher temperature. This process consumes a significant portion of the power plant energy output. Moreover, the captured CO2 must be compressed and transported to a permanent place which is also an energy consuming process.
A preferable approach would be to decompose CO2 into C/CO and oxygen, or co-electrolysis with H2O to generate syngas (H2+CO) and oxygen (O2).
Syngas and O2 can be fed back to the oxyfuel combustion chamber that will reduce fuel demand for combustion and energy requirement for the Air Separator Unit (ASU).
A preferable approach would be to decompose CO2 into C/CO and oxygen, or co-electrolysis with H2O to generate syngas (H2+CO) and oxygen (O2).
Syngas and O2 can be fed back to the oxyfuel combustion chamber that will reduce fuel demand for combustion and energy requirement for the Air Separator Unit (ASU).
Syngas can also be further processed into synthetic liquid fuel (synfuel) through the Fischer-Tropsch process ... .
CO can be further processed into methanol by reacting with H2 ... .
Thus, CO2 can be chemically transformed into a valuable energy source and its storage will not be a concern.
Summary: Carbon dioxide (CO2) is electrochemically decomposed into carbon/carbon monoxide (CO) and oxygen (O2) by Oxygen Deficient Ferrites (ODF) electrodes. The Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) consists of a thin Yttria Stabilized Zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte with ODF electrodes on both sides, working as anode and cathode. In order to keep the electrodes active, a small potential bias (<0.5V) is applied across the electrodes. CO2 and water (H2O) can also be electrolyzed simultaneously to produce syngas (H2+CO) and O2 continuously.
Moreover, CO or syngas can be recovered as valuable products that can be further processed into liquid fuel through Fischer-Tropsch process. With this approach, CO2 can be transformed into a valuable fuel source allowing CO2 neutral use of the hydrocarbon fuels."
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Yes, some external, preferably we would think Carbon-free, supply of electricity would be required.
And, we suggest as options some things like that seen in:
Wind Energy: A West Virginia Business Opportunity; "Wind Energy: A West Virginia Business Opportunity;
While coal is and will continue to be the principal energy resource for making electricity in West Virginia, wind energy is also becoming a player as well. West Virginia is home to four wind farms: the 66 MW Wind Energy Center in Tucker County, the 264 MW NedPower project in Grant County and the 100 MW Beech Ridge project in Greenbrier County and the 98 MW Laurel Mountain project in Barbour/Randolph counties. An additional 365 MW of wind electrical generation capacity have been permitted and are under development in West Virginia. A report by the American Wind Energy Association ranked West Virginia 19th in states with the highest capacity for wind energy"; and:
http://hydropower.inl.gov/
In sum, as confirmed herein by West Virginia University itself, Carbon Dioxide, as it arises in only a small way, relative to some natural sources of emission such as volcanoes, from our essential use of Coal in the generation of truly economical and abundant electrical power, is a valuable raw material resource.
We can reclaim Carbon Dioxide, and, as in the process disclosed by our subject, WVU's "United States Patent Application 20120228150 - CO2 Decomposition Via Oxygen Deficient Ferrite Electrodes Using Solid Oxide Electrolyser Cell", convert that CO2, along with plain old Water, into "syngas (H2+CO) and O2", which "syngas" is suitable to be "processed into liquid fuel through Fischer-Tropsch", and/or related, technology.
Now, we don't know about you all, but, dad gum it, or, dang, as Bowden or Nehlen, respectively, were once known to exclaim, this sure does sound like Coal Country news to us.