The Conversion of Captured CO2 Directly into Fuels

Abstract:  Carbon capture and utilization schemes require that CO2 captured from the atmosphere (or a point source) be released from the sorbent, and that the sorbent be recycled to capture additional CO2. Alkaline solutions such as KOH are effective at capturing CO2 through reactions that form (bi)carbonates, but the recovery of CO2 gas and hydroxide before CO2 electrolysis requires energy-intensive steps. We have solved this problem by designing an electrochemical reactor that converts bicarbonate solutions into carbon-containing products. In this presentation, I will show how this reactor links CO2 utilization with upstream carbon capture, and also how it performs better than reactors fed with gaseous CO2.

Bio: Prof. Curtis P. Berlinguette leads a large, interdisciplinary team designing and building electrochemical reactors to power the planet. Dr. Berlinguette is a Distinguished University Scholar at the University of British Columbia, where he is a Professor of Chemistry and Chemical & Biological Engineering. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada, CIFAR Program Director, and Principal Investigator at the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (SBQMI). His academic group has advanced a range of clean energy applications including CO2 utilization, membrane reactors for decarbonizing the chemicals industry, and low-temperature fusion. His team has also pioneered the use of flexible automation and machine learning to build self-driving labs for materials. Dr. Berlinguette has been recognized with several awards, including an Alfred P. Sloan Research Fellowship and an NSERC E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship.

Zoom Link: https://stanford.zoom.us/j/92153920201?pwd=YW5PV1kxek9Cd2xuY0xwWU9zNWdWUT09

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