TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Electrochemical Revolution: Transforming Methane into Ethylene

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Electrochemical Revolution: Transforming Methane into Ethylene A modular electrocatalytic membrane reactor system for efficient upgrading of methane.

Overview: Traditional methods for ethylene production from methane via oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) face challenges like low methane conversion at lower temperatures and low ethylene selectivity due to over-oxidation, leading to CO2 formation. These issues, coupled with safety risks in using methane/oxygen mixtures, have limited the industrial adoption of OCM technologies.

This invention addresses these challenges, targeting petrochemical and polymer industries that use natural gas or natural gas liquids (NG/NGL) as feedstock. Its high modularity makes it a promising solution for valorizing small natural gas reserves and converting landfill gas, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient natural gas utilization.

Description: This technology introduces an electrocatalytic membrane reactor system integrated with novel, highly active OCM catalysts. The system uses oxygen ion-conducting solid oxide electrochemical cells (OC-SOEC) and rare earth metal and transition metal co-doped strontium titanate catalysts. The catalysts, featuring perovskite-structured mixed metal oxides, significantly enhance the methane to ethylene conversion efficiency. This system offers a safer and more efficient alternative to conventional methods by providing homogeneous oxygen distribution, combining oxygen separation and chemical reaction processes, and utilizing various oxygen sources like air, carbon dioxide, or water.

Benefits:

Higher Efficiency: Achieves better methane conversion and ethylene selectivity[RMB1] [LW2] .

Safety: Reduces risks associated with conventional methane/oxygen mixture use.

Modularity: Suitable for small-scale natural gas reserves, increasing resource exploitation.

Versatility: Utilizes various oxygen sources and energy inputs.

Environmental Impact: Offers a more sustainable approach to ethylene production, potentially reducing CO2 emissions.

Applications: Petrochemical and polymer industries using NG/NGL. Small-scale natural gas reserve exploitation. Renewable hydrocarbon source conversion (e.g., landfill gas). Sustainable chemical and fuel production sectors.

Development Status: Technology Readiness Level (TRL)

3: Analytical and experimental proof-of-concept demonstrated.

IP Status: Provisional Patent Application No. 63/598,795, “Methods and Systems for Producing Ethylene from Methane, and Related Electrochemical Cells,” BEA Docket No. BA-1455. Partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for Access to Pioneering Technology and Mutual Growth Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, INL offers unique opportunities for businesses to access and license advanced technology.

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Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at: https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment. For specific discussions on how your business can benefit, please contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov. INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers.

We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.