New award to columbia university, control# 3234-1542 DE-FOA-0003234, grid-free renewable energy enabling new ways to economical liquids and long-term storage (GREENWELLS) project title: low…

New award to columbia university, control# 3234-1542 DE-FOA-0003234, grid-free renewable energy enabling new ways to economical liquids and long-term storage (GREENWELLS) project title: low temperature membraneless carbon dioxide electrolyzers for low-cost production of ethanol under dynamic conditions this project brings together a multidisciplinary team of academics and industry researchers to develop a membrane-free electrochemical reactor ("electrolyzer") for converting carbon dioxide into energy dense liquid ethanol fuel. The proposed electrolyzer is based on state-of-the-art cathode catalysts and a novel electrode assembly that minimizes cell resistance for efficient and selective conversion of carbon dioxide into ethanol. A primary objective of this project is to incorporate the developed membraneless electrolyzer into a robust, integrated system that produces ethanol at > 80 % purity and > 1 L per day within degradation. The proposed system is based on unit operations that are all designed to operate at temperatures below 80 °C, making IT well-suited for rapidly changing its output when connected to intermittent electricity generators like solar and wind. The ability to operate in a variable manner, combined with the high storability of ethanol and efficient operation of all key unit operations, is expected to minimize the need for onsite battery and H2 storage. If successful, this project will demonstrate an efficient and cost-effective energy conversion technology capable of leveraging the extensive infrastructure for purifying, storing, transporting, and using ethanol fuel that already exists in the U.S. As a result, the proposed technology holds great potential to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while enhancing the economic and energy security of the U.S. Transportation fuel sector.