STTR Phase I: Development of Multi-Functional Membrane-Based Reactor for High Alcohol Synthesis

Information

  • NSF Award
  • 0740806
Owner
  • Award Id
    0740806
  • Award Effective Date
    1/1/2008 - 16 years ago
  • Award Expiration Date
    3/31/2009 - 15 years ago
  • Award Amount
    $ 149,990.00
  • Award Instrument
    Standard Grant

STTR Phase I: Development of Multi-Functional Membrane-Based Reactor for High Alcohol Synthesis

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I project will develop a commercially viable ethanol process via a multi-functional membrane-based reactor using the best available catalyst. The proposed reactor incorporates the advantages of existing reactors which result from the in-situ product removal, without being hampered by some of the associated disadvantages, such as inefficient removal of the exothermic reaction heat. A nearly 100% carbon monoxide (CO) conversion with a high selectivity to ethanol is theoretically and practically feasible in this single stage reactor. Process intensification, as a result of the application of the proposed multi-functional reactor, will result in high efficiencies, low capital costs, and a small overall footprint, all required for the process to be a commercially viable. <br/><br/>The broader impact/commercial potential of coal-derived ethanol is an affordable, efficient hydrogen carrier that can be distributed and stored using the nation?s existing fuel infrastructure. In addition, as is also the case with bio-ethanol (albeit at a smaller scale), coal-derived ethanol can provide an interim solution as a liquid automobile fuel/additive before the hydrogen-based economy is fully implemented. Ethanol derived from the abundant domestic supply of coal can reduce dependence on imported energy, and more importantly, offers an attractive alternative to bio-ethanol. An efficient coal-to-ethanol production process offers an economically driven ethanol supply (as opposed to subsidized bio-ethanol) to the growing market demand in the near-term, while providing a high energy density feedstock from domestically available coal for distributed hydrogen production in the long-term when the hydrogen-based economy will be fully implemented.

  • Program Officer
    Cynthia A. Znati
  • Min Amd Letter Date
    10/17/2007 - 17 years ago
  • Max Amd Letter Date
    1/28/2009 - 15 years ago
  • ARRA Amount

Institutions

  • Name
    Media and Process Technology Inc.
  • City
    PITTSBURGH
  • State
    PA
  • Country
    United States
  • Address
    1155 WILLIAM PITT WAY
  • Postal Code
    152381368
  • Phone Number
    4128263721

Investigators

  • First Name
    Paul
  • Last Name
    Liu
  • Email Address
    pliu@mediaandprocess.com
  • Start Date
    10/17/2007 12:00:00 AM

FOA Information

  • Name
    Industrial Technology
  • Code
    308000