Catalysis
Catalysis work in ESTD is focusing on key problems related to energy and energy conversion. Fuel cells have tremendous potential to provide efficient energy for a variety of applications. They are fueled primarily by hydrogen (PEM fuel cells) or hydrogen and CO (solid oxide fuel cells), and production of these fuels is of primary importance to our economy. Currently we have programs aimed at hydrogen production and syngas production (H2 and CO) via reforming of methane and liquid hydrocarbon fuels. These fuels will continue to be the primary source of hydrogen through the near future until alternate sources are developed.
Researchers investigate the use of
catalysts and particulate filters for the
reduction of diesel exhaust emissions.
For liquid fuels, we are focusing on developing methods to remove the sulfur-containing molecules in the fuel that serve as poisons for subsequent fuel reforming and fuel cell operation. This includes development of a novel compact hydrodesulfurization process as well as development of high capacity selective adsorbents to remove any residual sulfur components. With methane, we are focusing primarily on steam reforming directly on the anode of a solid oxide fuel cell. This provides efficiency benefits, but also challenges in terms of maintaining stability of the materials to loss of surface area and deposition by carbon formation during fuel cell operation.
In addition to hydrogen and syngas production, recent interest is developing through various laboratory initiatives in coal conversion to useful products, including syngas, natural gas, and liquid fuels. Catalysis and adsorbent development (to clean up the coal gasification product) are anticipated to be major areas of investigation in the near future for ESTD.
For additional information see the web site for PNNL's Institute for Interfacial Catalysis and a recent article in Battelle's Breakthroughs.