Given the kinetic and thermodynamic stability of CO₂ (Figure 1), the conversion process poses challenge. The strong carbon to oxygen bonds require significant energy input to cleave. Our one-reactor conversion system directly utilizes the heat from the hot exhaust gas. The heat from the exhaust gas propels the set of reactions in the reactor involving reduction to CO, overcoming C-C coupling barrier and OH insertion. The temperature range for both wet and dry exhaust system of vessels (for example) matches well with the operating temperature of this combined reactor thus, allowing the heat in the gas to be directly utilized for membrane operation. Moreover, mid operating temperature allows for use of inexpensive material keeping the cost and system complexity low.

Gibbs free energy of formation of selected substances. Note CO₂ sitting in a thermodynamic sink

Comparison:

Our one step combined reactor provides value-added conversion product from the waste carbon stream. No other competitor currently in the market provides this value proposition.

This retrofit-design, combined reactor is a modular and low-cost investment. Conventional reduction technologies result in increased fuel consumption due to additional power consumption, reduction of cargo space due to space taken for liquefaction and/or storage of captured CO₂ on ships in a form of gas or liquid state. Our reactor saves the cost and carbon footprint related to CO₂ compression and storage by virtue of our CO₂ utilization and conversion into valuable fuel/product.

Relative to other solutions, it uses inexpensive component including stainless steel, silica etc. thus, enabling reduced capital cost and system complexity.