Scaling Bioelectrochemical Biomass Conversion Technologies
Wet and gaseous waste streams are widely geographically distributed, frequently in areas of high population density, affording them unique current and emerging market opportunities. When compared to terrestrial feedstocks, these waste streams are largely aggregated and any derivative biofuels, bioproducts, or biopower are close to end markets. Thus, various public and private entities are actively exploring and deploying novel solutions for waste stream valorization. Potential competition between biofuels, bio products, and other beneficial uses will likely be a key element of future markets, and clearly merits further analytical and modeling investigation. Cheap and renewable electricity leveraged with novel conversion technologies to increase the use of biomass feedstocks. This program addressed the need to improve the efficiency, selectivity, and scalability of biocatalytic-electrochemical processes to convert and upgrade organic waste feedstocks to biofuels. Faraday Technology has developed a novel Kolbe electrolytic conversion method and apparatus, to electrochemically upgrade the medium chain fatty acid (MCFA) carboxylic acid biocatalysts products to C10-18 hydrocarbon mixtures with an increased rate and reduced energy input. In this Phase I DOE SBIR program we studied the potential of a cost effective, industrially scalable, and novel Kolbe electrolytic conversion method and apparatus, to electrochemically upgrade the MCFA carboxylic acid biocatalysts products to C10-18 hydrocarbon mixtures with an increased production/conversion rate and reduced energy input, by: Demonstrating Kolbe electrolysis and utilizing novel electrochemical approaches to develop scalable Kolbe electrolytic conversion methods to electrochemically upgrade the MCFA carboxylic acid biocatalysts products to hydrocarbon mixtures Evaluating electrolytic conversion via Fourier Transform Spectroscopy, and Gas chromatograph methods to find the gasoline range organics’ presence in conversion product Design, build and evaluate an Electro-reactor to demonstrate the feasibility of novel Kolbe electrolytic conversion Comparing the conversion rate, selectivity and energy required between various applied potentials Established a significantly energy-efficient reactor stream Compared the anticipated cost of the systems. In Phase I, Faraday Technology focused on the development of a novel Kolbe electrolytic conversion method and apparatus, to electrochemically upgrade the MCFA carboxylic acid biocatalysts products to hydrocarbon mixtures. The potential of this method and apparatus were demonstrated with the relative product hydrocarbon concentration is measured by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and the energy input calculated for a variety of system orientations, including design of the electrolysis parameters, and reactor design. Furthermore, the results indicate an increased the hydrocarbons production rate by ~45% (from FTIR) and reduced the energy requirement per electrode area by two orders of magnitude when compared to conventional Kolbe electrolysis, with only our preliminary optimization completed. Furthermore, when comparing the potential techniques that could be utilized to upgrade carboxylate platform materials to biofuels, we find that the Kolbe method is more scalable and has fewer material inputs than either the primary or secondary alcohol techniques. These results established the viability of the FARADAYIC® Process and electrode reactor design method to produce hydrocarbons amenable to jet fuels and sets the stage for additional process enhancements in Phase II. Waste conversion utilizes waste as a resource instead of burying it in landfills which only adds more and more cost to a disposal system that is highly regulated by the EPA. Biocatalytic-electrochemical conversion produces valuable byproducts and much less residual waste. It is envisioned that this approach could be utilized to the empowerment of entrepreneurs and municipalities to produce their own hydrocarbon transportation fuels will revolutionize the global economy: Cheap gasoline/ jet/diesel/hydrogen fuels from waste, that can potentially be produced locally by many distributed companies instead of by large petroleum companies. Commercial applications of this process will provide municipalities with a new marketable revenue stream of hydrocarbon biofuels and bioproducts including jet/diesel fuel. In Phase I, we showed the potential of the method and apparatus to improve the hydrocarbon production rate while greatly reducing the necessary energy input. Furthermore, we also designed a continuous scalable apparatus amenable for operation on various industrial scales. In Phase II, we will continue to optimize and scale the processing method to improve the conversion efficiency and selectivity while also scaling the apparatus to enable demonstration or transition to full size systems within follow on programs.
- Research Organization:
- Faraday Technology, Inc., Englewood, OH (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC)
- DOE Contract Number:
- SC0018796
- OSTI ID:
- 1507384
- Type / Phase:
- SBIR (Phase I)
- Report Number(s):
- DOE-FTI-18796; Faraday-2153 Final Report
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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