63-6058-18_SOW.docx

Material Synthesis, Evaluation, and Prototype Support

Statement of Work NRL is currently testing and evaluating carbon dioxide (CO2) hydrogenation catalysts in laboratory-scale and commercial-scale fixed-bed plug flow chemical reactors. In order to demonstrate the integration of NRL technologies for the synthesis of fuel at a prototype scale, NRL's electrolytic cation exchange module (E-CEM) for H2 and CO2 capture must be integrated to the single-channel scalable modular reactor unit. This goal will be achieved by executing the following three Tasks.

Task I: Design and construct a FT reactor skid that is transportable allowing for eventual movement to a location selected by NRL. An existing compressor located will be used in testing the system to raise the pressure of the gas to the level required for reasonable operation of the FT reactor. A small booster pump will be included that will enable using the FT reactor supplied to be operated with bottled CO2 and H2 and to bring the recycle gas to an appropriate pressure.

Task II: The cooling fins that are currently used on small reactors owned by NRL will be removed and the reactors will be individually enclosed in a larger exterior vessel to allow cooling using a liquid, such as an appropriate grade of Therminol. The FT reactors are sized to produce about two - five (~2 - 5) liters per day of Fischer Tropsch liquids with an appropriately active catalyst. The system will be designed to allow replacement of the reactor with catalyst to allow for ease of catalyst testing. The reactors are about six (~6’) foot in length and one and one-half inches (~1.5”) in diameter. The reactor system will include a recycle loop to improve utilization of the gas components, improve the equilibrium reactions, and allow for various mixtures of fresh and depleted feed to the reactor. The reactor system will be constructed with double walls to allow for circulation of cooling liquids.

Task III: To the extent feasible; the piping on the compressor skid, the piping running to the storage tanks, the piping from the storage tanks to the FT skid, on the FT skid, and from the FT skid to the flare will be welded by certified welders to appropriate standards and pressure tested (ASME B31.3). The use of welded pipe assures there is no leakage and that all code standards are met. Included on the FT Reactor skid will be a product collection system that first collects heavier hydrocarbons (maintained at ~ 130°C) and then after cooling collects the water and lighter hydrocarbons (maintained at ~ 4°C). The collected FT product and water are temporarily stored on the FT reactor skid and will have appropriate valves to allow transfer to an intermediate product storage. The equipment will be designed and constructed to appropriate standards such as ASME process piping and pressure vessel codes, NEC electric code, and other required commercial codes.

Timeline and Deliverables The proposed work will be implemented in 3 months and will include a fuel skid that will be implementable to NRL’s E-CEM technology.