Search NASA⌕ Search

SEARCH · Search NASA

Results for “carbon dioxide hydrogenation”

Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

Quote a phrase for an exact phrase match. Source license links do not imply unrestricted reuse.

At least 109 records · Page 6
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2023

Development of a Pre-Combustion CO 2 Capture Process Using High-Temperature PBI Hollow-Fiber Membranes

The overall objective of this project was to evaluate the advantages of transformational polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymer hollow-fiber membrane (HFM)-based, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) capture and purification technology at bench-scale using an actual coal-derived syngas stream from a coal gasification facility. The project was carried out over two budget periods. The technical objectives in Budget Period 1 (BP1) included preparing HFs and modules and upgrading the available skid for field testing. The technical objectives for BP2 were to field-test the skid unit with actual coal-derived syngas from an oxygen-blown gasifier to obtain performance data, update the Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) that would assist with future process scale-up, and provide information on the design of a small pilot-scale test unit. The goal was to advance the PBI-HFM CO 2 capture and gas separation system for pre-combustion applications beyond second-generation economic performance predictions and make progress toward meeting overall fossil energy performance goals of CO 2 capture with 95% CO 2 purity at a cost of electricity (COE) 30% less than baseline capture approaches. The research program was designed with progressive technical tasks leading to both dynamic and steady-state testing of the PBI-HFM skid with actual coal-derived syngas. The work plan was to: (1) fabricate sufficient Generation-2 (GEN-2) fibers for module fabrication; (2) upgrade the fiber skid to accommodate large fiber modules for bench-scale field testing; (3) conduct dynamic and steady-state testing with coal-derived syngas from an oxygen-blown gasifier and obtain system performance data; (4) perform a TEA and environmental, health, and safety (EH&S) assessment; (5) update the State-Point Data Table, Technology Gap Analysis (TGA), and Technology Maturation Plan (TMP); (6) uninstall and return the test skid to the Recipient’s facilities; and (7) submit a Final Report that describes the results and analysis of the project research effort.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2021

A Comparative Techno-Economic Analysis of Renewable Methanol Synthesis Pathways from Biomass and CO2: Preprint

Global demand for methanol as both a chemical precursor and a fuel additive is rising. At the same time, numerous sustainable methanol production pathways are under development which, if commercialized, could present significant environmental benefits over traditional methanol synthesis pathways. There is a need to harmonize the analyses of sustainable pathways using a consistent techno-economic approach to evaluate the potential for commercialization of various pathways. This analysis considers economic and environmental factors critical to market acceptance of three sustainable pathways versus a commercial baseline. We suggest that biomass gasification to methanol represents a near-term viable pathway with high technology readiness level and commercially competitive market price. However, long-term solutions should consider CO2 electrolysis pathways which offer further improvements in sustainability metrics to support global decarbonization efforts.

biomass↗
DOE OSTI2025

Modular Integrated System for Carbon-Neutral Methanol Synthesis Using Direct Air Capture and Carbon-Free Hydrogen Production

This study investigates the development and economic analysis of a modular integrated system for carbon-neutral methanol synthesis, leveraging direct air capture (DAC) and solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOEC) for carbon dioxide and hydrogen production, respectively. The proposed system integrates a novel building-based DAC process, functionalized solid sorbents, and low-energy SOEC technology, aiming to minimize operational and capital costs. A comparison between the base case system (1,000 t methanol/year) and a scaled-up model (14,758 t methanol/year) reveals significant improvements in efficiency and economic feasibility. The scaled-up system achieves a levelized cost of methanol (LCOM) of $740/t, a 7.5% reduction compared to that of conventional DAC-based systems, while utilizing existing building HVAC infrastructure for air handling. Detailed sensitivity analyses were conducted, evaluating the effects of plant capacity and air flow rate on the LCOM, demonstrating the scalability of the building-based DAC system. The cradle-to-gate life cycle analysis shows that the proposed process using renewable-sourced electricity achieves a 38% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission compared to reported values of green methanol production technologies that use a conventional DAC and a conventional methanol synthesis catalyst. When fossil-sourced electricity is used in the proposed process, it leads to about a 37.5% reduction in GHG emission in comparison to reported values for conventional methanol production technologies using steam methane reforming technology and fossil-sourced electricity.

alcohols↗
NASA NTRS2005

Sabatier Methanation Reactor for Space Exploration

The Sabatier Methanation Reactor technology is of vital importance to the success of the human and robotic exploration program. In order to achieve an affordable program, the logistics supply to support the mission must be minimized to the fullest extent possible. One area of potential reduction with high return on investment is the closure of life support loops, particularly oxygen and water. The Sabatier system accomplishes this by utilizing hydrogen and carbon dioxide, waste products from the life support system, to produce water and methane. The recovered water is then recycled back into the life support system to provide oxygen; while the methane can be used for propulsion, or can be broken down further to recover the hydrogen. This technology is applicable not only to transit phases of exploration, but surface habitats as well as in-situ propellant production. The Sabatier Reactor system has been developed for ground based demonstration experiments extensively over the past 30 years. Over the past three years, NASA has funded development of the Sabatier Carbon Dioxide Reduction Assembly (CRA) for use on the ISS. Currently this system is at TRL 5 and it is expected that the system will be flown on the ISS as a flight experiment, The purpose of the flight experiment is to integrate the Sabatier CRA into a synchronized system with the oxygen generation system and the carbon dioxide concentrator. The flight experiment will verify the integration of the different systems working together plus it will verify the capability of the system to operate, and effectively separate its products in a micro-gravity environment. Subsequent to design validation, the flight experiment can remain onboard the ISS providing valuable water to offset logistics re-supply requirements. Some of the challenges facing the development of the Sabatier system include handling vibration induced particulates, microgravity phase separation and containment of hazardous gases. Plans for adequately addressing these issues will be presented. The Sabatier carbon dioxide reduction process will greatly benefit any of the extended duration human exploration missions because of the tremendous savings of consumables realized. Any of these mission scenarios, be they transit or surface based, must consider closing the life support loops in order to make the mission achievable, let alone affordable. Carbon dioxide reduction technology will be necessary for future outpost habitats, and the technology needs to be proven viable in a space application. The Sabatier methanation reaction is also a desirable method for producing propellant from the Mars atmosphere. The common system could be designed to accept carbon dioxide from an indoor air revitalization loop concentrator, or from an outdoor atmosphere compressor. Carbon dioxide reduction validation is but one step in the spiral development of the in-situ propellant production system desired for future planetary exploration.

Murdoch, Karen↗
DOE OSTI2025

Advanced Alkaline Membrane H 2 /Air Fuel Cell System with Novel Technique for Air CO 2 Removal

Over the course of this project, significant progress was achieved in developing the hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cell (HEMFC) and the electrochemically-driven CO₂ separator (EDCS), with a focus on improving performance, durability, and scalability. Key milestones were met, and the technology demonstrated potential for a wide range of applications, including fuel cell vehicles, direct air capture (DAC), and life support systems.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2026

Improving and Measuring Water Oxidation Catalyst Viability

A major challenge that limits the efficiency of the overall water splitting reaction is the oxidation half-reaction, a process that releases oxygen and electrons, which in turn can reduce either protons or carbon dioxide to make hydrogen or carbon-based fuel. In this project, the major objectives are to increase the stability of water oxidation catalysts (WOCs), to develop ways to study catalyst stability, and to enable WOC performance in acidic media.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2025

Reaction Pathways over ZnZrO 2 -Based Catalysts and Catalytic Sorbents

Reactive capture and conversion (RCC) is a process intensification approach that integrates CO 2 capture and hydrogenation within a single unit, removing the CO 2 purification and storage steps of traditional process flow schemes. This alters the catalytic step from a traditional steady-state (SS) flow process to a transient capture and conversion cycle, which could lead to product distributions distinct from those observed in conventional SS experiments. Such differences are investigated in the combined capture and hydrogenation of carbon dioxide to methanol over a ZnZrO 2 catalyst and a ZnZrO 2 + NaNO 3 /Mg 3 AlO x catalytic sorbent (CS) using fixed-bed kinetic measurements, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and steady-state isotopic transient kinetic analysis-DRIFTS (SSITKA-DRIFTS). Under SS conditions, ZnZrO 2 produced methanol through sequential hydrogenation of HCOO* and CH 3 O* intermediates. On the contrary, CO was attributed primarily to CO 2 dissociation at oxygen vacancies, as supported by isotopic shifts and measured reaction orders. For the CS, isotopic switching experiments suggested that monodentate carbonate species (CO 3 2− , abbreviated as m-CO 3 2− ) act as active intermediates that can be hydrogenated to HCOO* and subsequently to CH 3 O. Under RCC conditions, in situ DRIFTS and isotopic experiments reveal that m-CO 3 2− species formed during the CO 2 capture step follow two competing routes upon H 2 exposure: (i) direct hydrogenation to methane on the sorbent domain or (ii) migration of m-CO 3 2− to the ZnZrO 2 domain, where they are hydrogenated to methanol through the HCOO pathway. Overall, RCC enables carbonate hydrogenation routes not observed under SS cofeed conditions. Thus, the reaction pathways and rates during RCC can be different from operation under conventional SS conditions, and the product distribution is determined here by competition between carbonate hydrogenation on sorbent sites and migration to ZnZrO 2 for methanol synthesis.

CCUS↗
NASA NTRS1973

Catalyst cartridge for carbon dioxide reduction unit

A catalyst cartridge, for use in a carbon dioxide reducing apparatus in a life support system for space vehicles, is described. The catalyst cartridge includes an inner perforated metal wall, an outer perforated wall space outwardly from the inner wall, a base plate closing one end of the cartridge, and a cover plate closing the other end of the cartridge. The cover plate has a central aperture through which a supply line with a heater feeds a gaseous reaction mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide at a temperature from about 1000 to about 1400 F. The outer surfaces of the internal wall and the inner surfaces of the outer wall are lined with a ceramic fiber batting material of sufficient thickness to prevent carbon formed in the reaction from passing through it. The portion of the surfaces of the base and cover plates defined within the inner and outer walls are also lined with ceramic batting. The heated reaction mixture passes outwardly through the inner perforated wall and ceramic batting and over the catalyst. The solid carbon product formes is retained within the enclosure containing the catalyst. The solid carbon product formed is retained within the enclosure containing the catalyst. The water vapor and unreacted carbon dioxide and any intermediate products pass through the perforations of the outer wall.

Holmes, R. F.↗
NASA NTRS1961

Carbon Dioxide Reduction Systems

The Methoxy system for regenerating oxygen from carbon dioxide was studied. Experiments indicate that the reaction between carbon dioxide and hydrogen can be carried out with ease in an efficient manner and with excellent heat conservation. A small reactor capable of handling the C02 expired by three men has been built and operated. The decomposition of methane by therma1,arc and catalytic processes was studied. Both the arc and catalytic processes gave encouraging results with over 90 percent of the methane being decomposed to carbon and hydrogen in some of the catalytic processes. Control of the carbon deposition in both the catalytic and arc processes is of great importance to prevent catalyst deactivation and short circuiting of electrical equipment. Sensitive analytical techniques have been developed for all of the components present in the reactor effluent streams.

METHOXY SYSTEM↗
DOE OSTI2023

Field Testing of Self-Healing Metallic Coatings for Internal Corrosion Protection of Natural Gas Pipelines

Internal corrosion occurs in natural gas pipelines primarily due to the presence of water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide. Internal corrosion can eventually result in leakage, cracks, and rupture of the pipeline. The objective of this work is to mitigate internal corrosion in steel pipelines transporting natural gas using cold spray coatings. The corrosion behavior of carbon steel coated with self-healing zinc chromium (ZnCr) and zinc niobium (ZnNb) cold spray coatings was investigated in a natural gas environment. For comparison purposes, hot-dip galvanized steel (HDGS) was tested under the same conditions as cold spray coatings. The field test was performed at the NW Natural gas storage facility in Mist, Oregon. The field test was conducted in a 6-inch diameter pipe transporting wet natural gas out of an underground storage well at 500 psi and 4.4 °C. The coupons were tested for 15 and 32 days under stagnant and flow conditions, respectively. Weight loss method was used to measure the corrosion rate of metallic coatings. Post-corrosion surface characterization was performed on the specimen using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). Crystalline phases were determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The field-test results confirmed that the metallic coatings provided corrosion protection of carbon steel exposed to wet natural gas under stagnant and flow conditions. The formation of the ZnCO 3 layer on top of ZnNb and ZnCr coatings led to passivation of the coatings which helps to reduce the self-corrosion. These layers form a barrier for diffusion of corrosive species to the surface.

03 NATURAL GAS↗
DOE OSTI2024

Hydrogen storage and geo-methanation in a depleted underground hydrocarbon reservoir

Coupling of power-to-gas processes with underground gas storage could effectively allow surplus electricity to be stored for later use. Depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs could be used as stores, but practical experience of hydrogen storage in such sites is limited. Here we present data from a field trial that stored 119,353 m 3 of hydrogen admixed to natural gas in a depleted hydrocarbon reservoir. After 285 days, hydrogen recovery was 84.3%, indicating the process’s technical feasibility. Additionally, we report that microbes mediated hydrogen conversion to methane. In laboratory experiments studying mesocosms that mimic real reservoirs, hydrogen and carbon dioxide were converted to methane (0.26 mmol l —1 h —1 evolution rate) reproducibly over 14 cycles in 357 days. This rate theoretically allows 114,648 m 3 of methane per year to be produced in the test reservoir (equivalent to ~1.08 GWh). Our research demonstrates the efficiency of hydrogen storage and the importance of geo-methanation in depleted hydrocarbon reservoirs.

08 HYDROGEN↗
NASA NTRS2004

Interaction and Synergism of Microbial Fuel Cell Bacteria within Methanogenesis

Biological hydrogen production from waste biomass has both terrestrial and Martian advanced life support applications. On earth, biological hydrogen production is being explored as a greenhouse neutral form of clean and efficient energy. In a permanently enclosed space habitat, carbon loop closure is required to reduce mission costs. Plants are grown to revitalize oxygen supply and are consumed by habitat inhabitants. Unharvested portions must then be recycled for reuse in the habitat. Several biological degradation techniques exist, but one process, biophotolysis, can be used to produce hydrogen from inedible plant biomass. This process is two-stage, with one stage using dark fermentation to convert plant wastes into organic acids. The second stage, photofermentation, uses photoheterotrophic purple non-sulfur bacteria with the addition of light to turn the organic acids into hydrogen and carbon dioxide. Such a system can prove useful as a co-generation scheme, providing some of the energy needed to power a larger primary carbon recovery system, such as composting. Since butyrate is expected as one of the major inputs into photofermentation, a characterization study was conducted with the bacterium Rhodobacter sphaeroides SCJ, a novel photoheterotrophic non-sulfur purple bacteria, to examine hydrogen production performance at 10 mM-100 mM butyrate concentrations. As butyrate levels increased, hydrogen production increased up to 25 mM, and then decreased and ceased by 100 mM. Additionally, lag phase increased with butyrate concentration, possibly indicating some product inhibition. Maximal substrate conversion efficiency was 8.0%; maximal light efficiency was 0.89%; and maximal hydrogen production rate was 7.7 Umol/mg/cdw/hr (173 ul/mg cdw/hr). These values were either consistent or lower than expected from literature.

Klaus, David↗
DOE OSTI2021

Optimizing Active Sites for High CO Selectivity during CO 2 Hydrogenation over Supported Nickel Catalysts

The undesired formation of CH 4 during the hydrogenation of CO 2 remains a great challenge with direct impact on selectivity towards CO or CH 3 OH. In this study, the selectivity of a supported Ni catalyst prepared by traditional impregnation method was found to change after a first CO 2 hydrogenation reaction cycle from 100 to 800 °C. The usually high CH 4 formation was suppressed leading to full selectivity towards CO. This behavior was also observed after the catalyst was treated under methane or propane atmospheres at elevated temperatures. In-situ spectroscopic studies revealed that the accumulation of carbon species on the catalyst surface at high temperature leads to a nickel carbide-like phase. The catalyst regains its high selectivity to CH 4 production after carbon depletion from the surface of the Ni particles by oxidation. However, the selectivity readily shifts back towards CO formation after a new temperature programmed CO 2 hydrogenation cycle. The fraction of weakly adsorbed CO species increases on the carbide-like surface when compared to a clean nickel surface, explaining the higher selectivity towards CO formation. This easy protocol of changing the surface of a common Ni catalyst to gain selectivity represents an important step for the commercial use of CO 2 hydrogenation to CO process together with Fischer-Tropsch applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2026

Evaluation of NETL’s Self-Healing Metallic Coating for Internal Corrosion Protection of Natural Gas Pipelines: Field Test

Steel pipelines are a safe, reliable, and affordable way to transport natural gas. However, the presence of impurities (e.g., water, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide) in the natural gas can cause internal corrosion, which can lead to pipeline leaks and failure. This paper reports on field tests of an innovative self-healing, corrosion-resistant, metallic coating developed at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for protecting the interior surfaces of pipelines.

carbon dioxide (CO2)↗
NASA NTRS1985

Compatibility of grain-stabilized platinum with candidate propellants for resistojets

Resistojets are candidates for space station auxiliary propulsion, and should be characterized by both long life and multipropellant operations, requirements limited by available materials. Grain stabilized platinum is examined for use as a resistojet thruster material. Use of platinum in other applications indicates it can be used at moderately high temperatures for extended periods of time. Past results indicate that grain-stabilized platinum should be sufficiently inert in candidate propellant environments. Therefore, compatibility of platinum-yttria (P/Y2O3) and platinum-zirconia (Pt/ZrO2) with carbon dioxide, methane, hydrogen and ammonia is examined. A series of 1000 hr tests in CO2, H2, and NH3 is conducted at 1400 C and a series of 1000 hr tests in CH4 is conducted at about 500 C. Scanning electron microscopy, Auger electron spectroscopy and depth profiling analysis are then used to determine the effects of propellants on the material surface, to evaluate possible material contamination and to evaluate grain growth. The results indicate that there is carbon deposition on the surface of the Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 in both the CO2 and CH4 environments. In the H2 environment, the Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 specimen surfaces are roughened. After exposure to the NH3 environment, the Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 are roughened and pitted over the entire heated area with some pitted areas along the grain boundaries. SEM photos show grain growth in cross-sectional views of all the Pt/Y2O3 samples and the Pt/ZrO2 samples, except that tested in methane. Mass loss measurements indicate that Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 would last in excess of 200,000 hr in each propellant environment. However, in NH3 both Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 are severely pitted, with voids up to 50 percent into the material. Pt/Y2O3 and Pt/ZrO2 are not recommended for high temperature service in NH3.

Whalen, M. V.↗
NASA NTRS1974

A study of the Sabatier-methanation reaction kinetics

The kinetics of the Sabatier methanation reaction, the reduction of carbon dioxide with hydrogen to methane and water, was investigated for 58 percent nickel on kieselguhr catalyst and 20 percent ruthenium on alumina catalyst. Differential rate data from an experimental program were correlated with a power function rate equation both for forward and reverse reactions. The kinetic parameters of activation energy, frequency rate constant and reaction order were determined for the rate equation. The values of these parameters were obtained from an Arrhenius plot of the experimental differential rate data. Also the carbon monoxide side reaction effect was measured and included in the correlation of parameters. The reaction was found to fit the rate equation experimentally within the temperature range 421 K, where the reaction effectively begins, the 800 K where the reaction rate drops and departs from the rate equation form.

Verostko, C. E.↗
DOE OSTI2025

Investigation of CO2 Sorption Characteristics of Imidazolium Ionic Liquid Crystals

This work is focused on advancing of the understanding the carbon dioxide (CO2) sorption characteristics of imidazolium ionic liquid crystals based on the 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium (Cnmim) ionic liquid family. Specifically, the mechanism of sorption across the melting, liquid crystal, and isotropic liquid transitions is investigated for 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BF4-) and hexafluorophosphate (PF6-). A unique reversible CO2 occlusion was observed in 1-tetradecyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (C14mim BF4) under rapid temperature quench from the liquid phases to the solid phase, while complete desorption occurred upon heating above the melting point (40 degrees C). In situ wide-angle x-ray scattering revealed that the lamellar structure of C14mim BF4 liquid crystal phases provides a high concentration of dynamically accessible anion and cation interaction sites for CO2, facilitating CO2 occlusion upon rapid solidification. The selective occlusion of CO2 in C14mim BF4 suggests a new mechanism for CO2 sorption processes.

08 HYDROGEN↗