2024 Capability Portfolio Digital | Page 58

Clean Energy Capability Portfolio | Clean Fuels

Thermal Catalytic

Energy Conversion
and Waste Treatment
Reactions

Particle and Catalysis Research Group ( PartCat ) have developed a wide range of capabilities in thermal catalysis ranging from carbon dioxide conversion into methane and methanol , dry reforming of methane and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis , to carbon monoxide oxidation and waste pyrolysis . PartCat combines expertise in photocatalysis to develop photothermal systems with enhanced product selectivity and reduced operating temperatures .

Competitive Advantage

• Amongst the highest reported catalytic rates for CO2 conversion into methanol or methane
• Thermal systems can be integrated with photothermal technology to alter reaction selectivity and improve conversion
• Direct harnessing of solar energy can be used as the main energy input for CO2 conversion reactions

Impact

• Enabling technology for CO2 conversion into value-added chemicals to support industry decarbonisation
• conversion of waste CO2 ( e . g ., from flue gas ) into value-added chemicals and fuels such as methane and methanol , as well as longer chain hydrocarbons through Fischer-Tropsch synthesis
• Treatment of carbon monoxide ( CO ) and other polymer waste products associated with solar panels
• CO2 capture and storage in hydrocarbon form

Capabilities and Facilities

• Pressurised reactor and product detection systems for CO2 reduction into methane , CO , and methanol
• Photothermal reactor systems for integrating light into traditional thermal catalytic systems
• Nanoparticle synthesis and characterisation facilities
• Prototype-scale reactor array for scaled-up performance testing

Our Collaborators

• CSIRO Energy

More Information

Associate Professor Jason Scott
School of Chemical Engineering
T : + 61 2 9385 7361
E : jason . scott @ unsw . edu . au
• Reduced energy input for CO2 conversion reactions by utilising solar energy to provide heating and catalyst activation

Successful Applications

• Demonstration scale integrated photo-thermal CO2 reduction system producing methane at a rate of up to 30 L / hour ( SHINE 2.0 system )

58

• Multiple lab-scale reactor systems enabling light integration for high-rate methane and methanol production , Fischer-Tropsch synthesis , carbon monoxide oxidation , waste plastic pyrolysis / gasification , and methane reforming