Electrochemical CO2 capture and mineralisation
Lead Research Organisation:
University of York
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Carbon capture from power station exhaust gases is widely accepted as being an essential part of any global policy to control climate change due to increasing levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. However, the usual way of capturing waste carbon dioxide uses aqueous solutions of amines and has been calculated to consume 25-30% of the energy generated by a power station. In this project we will build on preliminary results to develop an alternative electrochemical approach to carbon capture.
We have already shown that by using a low surface area aluminium anode (coated in permeable graphite) along with a platinum cathode, electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride under an atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide in nitrogen (to simulate power station flue gas) resulted in generation of hydrogen at the platinum cathode and precipitation of carbonated aluminium oxide. This process has a number of highly desirable characteristics:
The electricity can be generated from renewable sources.
The coproduction of hydrogen provides a high value by-product.
The aqueous sodium chloride electrolyte is effectively just sea water.
Waste aluminium is available which could be used to avoid the expense and carbon dioxide emissions associated with using pristine aluminium.
The carbon dioxide is captured as a solid which is easier to store than gaseous carbon dioxide and which may have commercial applications.
This studentship will allow this project to be continued and will involve:
Understanding and optimising the electrochemical cell design
Demonstrating the use of real sea water and waste aluminium
Investigation of other materials for the anode, cathode and electrolyte
Using a solar panel to drive the electrochemical process
Calculation of the overall energetics of the process and demonstration of its carbon negative nature if renewable electricity is used.
We have already shown that by using a low surface area aluminium anode (coated in permeable graphite) along with a platinum cathode, electrolysis of an aqueous solution of sodium chloride under an atmosphere of 5% carbon dioxide in nitrogen (to simulate power station flue gas) resulted in generation of hydrogen at the platinum cathode and precipitation of carbonated aluminium oxide. This process has a number of highly desirable characteristics:
The electricity can be generated from renewable sources.
The coproduction of hydrogen provides a high value by-product.
The aqueous sodium chloride electrolyte is effectively just sea water.
Waste aluminium is available which could be used to avoid the expense and carbon dioxide emissions associated with using pristine aluminium.
The carbon dioxide is captured as a solid which is easier to store than gaseous carbon dioxide and which may have commercial applications.
This studentship will allow this project to be continued and will involve:
Understanding and optimising the electrochemical cell design
Demonstrating the use of real sea water and waste aluminium
Investigation of other materials for the anode, cathode and electrolyte
Using a solar panel to drive the electrochemical process
Calculation of the overall energetics of the process and demonstration of its carbon negative nature if renewable electricity is used.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Alison Parkin (Primary Supervisor) | |
Mark Dowsett (Student) |
Publications
Dowsett MR
(2018)
Exploring the scope of capacitance-assisted electrochemical carbon dioxide capture.
in Dalton transactions (Cambridge, England : 2003)
Lamb KJ
(2018)
Capacitance-Assisted Sustainable Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Mineralisation.
in ChemSusChem
Studentship Projects
Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
EP/N509802/1 | 30/09/2016 | 30/03/2022 | |||
1792546 | Studentship | EP/N509802/1 | 30/09/2016 | 29/09/2019 | Mark Dowsett |
Description | Capacitance, or an electric field, is exhibited by a cheap graphite block when used an electrode. This capacitance can help to pull carbon dioxide into water based solutions. This is one of the main challenges when performing carbon dioxide chemistry. We have used this effect to triple the amount of carbon dioxide captured in a carbon capture and mineralisation device. We have extended the device from aluminium as a sacrificial metal (to bind to the carbon dioxide and lock it in as a solid) to steel and shown the same principles apply. |
Exploitation Route | Use of capacitance may be used to improve electrocatalysis of carbon dioxide towards a variety of products. |
Sectors | Chemicals Environment |
URL | https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cssc.201702087 |
Title | NMR peaks to faradaic efficiency |
Description | Takes a raw input of a list of NMR peaks exported from Mestrenova. Converts this into faradaic efficiencies for any number of specified species by matching on a chemical shift with a given numerical tolerance. Database works in Microsoft Access and it is unique to work with NMR product analysis. |
Type Of Material | Data handling & control |
Year Produced | 2019 |
Provided To Others? | No |
Impact | Analysis time of an NMR sample to go from ca 1 hour to 2-5 minutes. More accurate understanding of low intensity NMR peaks. |
Description | PhD Spotlight Finalist (University of York) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Public outreach opportunity as part of YorkTalks. Part of the university demonstration of research. This work was presented in a poster presentation style with aides. This sparked questions and research interest in the university. The YorkTalks event grows each year and had over 1500 tickets booked in 2018. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://www.york.ac.uk/research/graduate-school/updates/2018/phd-under-spotlight/ |
Description | Talk, British Science Festival |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
Results and Impact | Approx 100 people attended a 30 minute talk on the acheivements of our research team in mineralising carbon dioxide and how we will extend this work in future. This sparked an interesting debate into the utility of materials can be made from CO2 and prompted a follow up email exchange with a participant. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Whitby Film: Seawater for CO2 capture |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A broadcast e.g. TV/radio/film/podcast (other than news/press) |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Media (as a channel to the public) |
Results and Impact | A Reuters news reporter/cameraman came to the lab to film aspects of how we perform our CO2 mineralisation in our electrochemical cell. This video has been posted online as below. This video may be distributed by Reuters to TV news channels and increase awareness of our work. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
URL | https://uk.reuters.com/video/2018/02/13/using-seawater-and-crisp-packets-to-cut?videoId=400858757&vi... |