RIT Scientist Shines Laser Light on Methane in Pursuit of Clean Fuel
Novel technique could someday convert methane to liquid fuel
An abundant greenhouse gas could someday help clean up the earth.
Converting methane to liquid methanol could produce clean, low-cost fuel and prevent the potent greenhouse gas from entering the atmosphere. Exploiting methane in this way could also produce a hydrogen source for fuel cells and yield other industrial applications. The key to taming methane, and synthesizing it in the laboratory, rests in identifying the starter link in methane’s armor chain of hydrocarbons.
A National Science Foundation grant is supporting a novel approach using laser light to convert methane into methanol. Roger Dube, research professor at Rochester Institute of Technology’s Chester F. Carlson Center for Imaging Science, won the $79,000 exploratory research award to apply optical catalytic conversion to the problem. Dube will use finely tuned laser light, not heat, to reduce the barrier to reaction in methane and to create longer chain molecules or fuels. The process works without the need for heat or a catalytic surface. This is important because heat consumes some of the fuel stock and decreases overall conversion efficient. Catalysts get dirty and have to be replaced or cleaned, both expensive and time-consuming propositions.
“Successful photo-catalysis of methane would theoretically produce clean fuels and remove methane gas that otherwise would simply be released into the atmosphere,” Dube says. “If successful, the technology could have broad impact in other fields of chemistry.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane—the odorless component of natural gas—remains in the atmosphere for approximately nine to 15 years. To make matters worse, methane beats carbon dioxide in efficiently trapping heat in the atmosphere. Sources of the gas range from the expected—such as cattle, coal mining and natural gas and petroleum production—to the somewhat unexpected practice of rice cultivation. Methane has ample natural and human-caused sources and is a byproduct of wetlands, wildfires, permafrost, landfills, agricultural applications, coal mining, stationary and mobile combustion, wastewater treatment and certain industrial processes.
“Unfortunately, almost half of the proven reserve of methane is ‘stranded,’” Dube says. “Access to the natural gas is effectively blocked by terrain and the economies of converting natural gas to liquid for efficient transport. A compact, high-gain process is needed that would convert methane gas to a room temperature liquid, such as diesel, and be sufficiently portable to enable access to stranded gas.”
with other types of alternative energy, such as solar and bio-mass? “Lots of other near-term technologies are great because they reduce pollution and petroleum dependence but they don’t fully eliminate either. Renewables, such as wind and biomass, coupled with hydrogen fuel cells are a sustainable combination.
“Excess renewable capacity can be used to produce hydrogen that can be stored until times when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining. Stored hydrogen can be used in a fuel cell to provide power and ‘firm’ up the renewable energy.”
When, if ever, will I be able to buy a hydrogen car for a reasonable price and drive it in South Carolina? “Every major, private sector auto manufacturer has recently reaffirmed their long-term commitment to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles as the end game for vehicle technology. Car companies are currently leasing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for reasonable prices ($600/month including fuel) in limited worldwide locations.
“Sales are scheduled to start in 2015 and the companies say that the cars will only cost $3,600 more than what we pay now. It’s entirely possible that we will be able to buy reasonably priced hydrogen vehicles and drive them in S.C. within the next 10 years.”
Beyond automobiles, what other applications of fuel cells and hydrogen are most likely to be successful and create private sector jobs in South Carolina? “Cars are the toughest industry sector to tackle but there are plenty of other areas in our lives where we need power — off-road transportation, portable electronics, homes and buildings are a few I can name quickly.
“Currently, hydrogen fuel cell forklifts and backup power for communications (cell) towers are the best value propositions in the market. The next application in the private sector will most likely be on-the-go cell phone chargers and other portable products.”
How do you answer critics who say that a hydrogen-based economy is not feasible in South Carolina and that government shouldn’t be spending money trying to create it? “Economists can show that, overall, as our standard of living increases so do our energy needs. Energy is the dominant issue facing our generation and who is going to control our energy supplies is a valid question. There are no two ways about it, we must have an industry-government partnership to find the right balance of consumer demand, energy security and sustainability.”
