TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY Electrochemical Revolution: Transforming Methane into Ethylene
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- BA-1455
- Agency
-
Department of Energy
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 562920 Materials Recovery Facilities
- Place of performance
- Idaho Falls, Idaho 83415, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
This Special Notice is from the Department of Energy and describes a technology licensing opportunity for an electrochemical process that can efficiently convert methane into ethylene. The technology uses a modular electrocatalytic membrane reactor system integrated with novel catalysts to achieve higher methane conversion and ethylene selectivity compared to traditional methods, while also offering improved safety and versatility in using various oxygen sources.
The objective behind this Special Notice is to license the intellectual property associated with this technology to petrochemical, polymer, and other industries that use natural gas or natural gas liquids as feedstock. The technology is currently at a Technology Readiness Level of 3, with a provisional patent application. The Department of Energy, through its management of Idaho National Laboratory (INL), is seeking business partners to access and license this advanced technology, offering tailored agreements and support, particularly for small businesses, to drive economic development and innovation. Interested parties are encouraged to explore INL's technology portfolio and contact the specified representative for further discussions on licensing opportunities.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Electrochemical Revolution: Transforming Methane into Ethylene
A modular electrocatalytic membrane reactor system for efficient upgrading of methane.
Overview: Traditional methods for ethylene production from methane via oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) face challenges like low methane conversion at lower temperatures and low ethylene selectivity due to over-oxidation, leading to CO2 formation. These issues, coupled with safety risks in using methane/oxygen mixtures, have limited the industrial adoption of OCM technologies. This invention addresses these challenges, targeting petrochemical and polymer industries that use natural gas or natural gas liquids (NG/NGL) as feedstock. Its high modularity makes it a promising solution for valorizing small natural gas reserves and converting landfill gas, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient natural gas utilization.
Description: This technology introduces an electrocatalytic membrane reactor system integrated with novel, highly active OCM catalysts. The system uses oxygen ion-conducting solid oxide electrochemical cells (OC-SOEC) and rare earth metal and transition metal co-doped strontium titanate catalysts. The catalysts, featuring perovskite-structured mixed metal oxides, significantly enhance the methane to ethylene conversion efficiency. This system offers a safer and more efficient alternative to conventional methods by providing homogeneous oxygen distribution, combining oxygen separation and chemical reaction processes, and utilizing various oxygen sources like air, carbon dioxide, or water.
Benefits:
- Higher Efficiency: Achieves better methane conversion and ethylene selectivity[RMB1] [LW2] .
- Safety: Reduces risks associated with conventional methane/oxygen mixture use.
- Modularity: Suitable for small-scale natural gas reserves, increasing resource exploitation.
- Versatility: Utilizes various oxygen sources and energy inputs.
- Environmental Impact: Offers a more sustainable approach to ethylene production, potentially reducing CO2 emissions.
Applications:
- Petrochemical and polymer industries using NG/NGL.
- Small-scale natural gas reserve exploitation.
- Renewable hydrocarbon source conversion (e.g., landfill gas).
- Sustainable chemical and fuel production sectors.
Development Status: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3: Analytical and experimental proof-of-concept demonstrated.
IP Status: Provisional Patent Application No. 63/598,795, “Methods and Systems for Producing Ethylene from Methane, and Related Electrochemical Cells,” BEA Docket No. BA-1455.
Partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for Access to Pioneering Technology and Mutual Growth
Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, INL offers unique opportunities for businesses to access and license advanced technology. Our agreements are tailored to provide flexibility and affordability, particularly supporting small businesses in their growth and innovation endeavors. By licensing our intellectual property, you not only gain access to groundbreaking technology but also contribute to economic development and public welfare. We invite you to explore our technology portfolio, designed to give your organization a competitive edge in the market. Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at: https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment. For specific discussions on how your business can benefit, please contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.
INL’s Technology Deployment department focuses exclusively on licensing intellectual property and partnering with industry collaborators capable of commercializing our innovations. Our goal is to commercialize the technologies developed by INL researchers. We do not engage in purchasing, manufacturing, procurement decisions, or providing funding. Additionally, this is not a call for external services to assist in the development of this technology.
Update #1 ·
TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY
Electrochemical Revolution: Transforming Methane into Ethylene
A modular electrocatalytic membrane reactor system for efficient upgrading of methane.
Overview: Traditional methods for ethylene production from methane via oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) face challenges like low methane conversion at lower temperatures and low ethylene selectivity due to over-oxidation, leading to CO2 formation. These issues, coupled with safety risks in using methane/oxygen mixtures, have limited the industrial adoption of OCM technologies. This invention addresses these challenges, targeting petrochemical and polymer industries that use natural gas or natural gas liquids (NG/NGL) as feedstock. Its high modularity makes it a promising solution for valorizing small natural gas reserves and converting landfill gas, aligning with the growing demand for sustainable and efficient natural gas utilization.
Description: This technology introduces an electrocatalytic membrane reactor system integrated with novel, highly active OCM catalysts. The system uses oxygen ion-conducting solid oxide electrochemical cells (OC-SOEC) and rare earth metal and transition metal co-doped strontium titanate catalysts. The catalysts, featuring perovskite-structured mixed metal oxides, significantly enhance the methane to ethylene conversion efficiency. This system offers a safer and more efficient alternative to conventional methods by providing homogeneous oxygen distribution, combining oxygen separation and chemical reaction processes, and utilizing various oxygen sources like air, carbon dioxide, or water.
Benefits:
- Higher Efficiency: Achieves better methane conversion and ethylene selectivity[RMB1] [LW2] .
- Safety: Reduces risks associated with conventional methane/oxygen mixture use.
- Modularity: Suitable for small-scale natural gas reserves, increasing resource exploitation.
- Versatility: Utilizes various oxygen sources and energy inputs.
- Environmental Impact: Offers a more sustainable approach to ethylene production, potentially reducing CO2 emissions.
Applications:
- Petrochemical and polymer industries using NG/NGL.
- Small-scale natural gas reserve exploitation.
- Renewable hydrocarbon source conversion (e.g., landfill gas).
- Sustainable chemical and fuel production sectors.
Development Status: Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 3: Analytical and experimental proof-of-concept demonstrated.
IP Status: Provisional Patent Application No. 63/598,795, “Methods and Systems for Producing Ethylene from Methane, and Related Electrochemical Cells,” BEA Docket No. BA-1455.
Partner with Idaho National Laboratory (INL) for Access to Pioneering Technology and Mutual Growth
Managed by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC, INL offers unique opportunities for businesses to access and license advanced technology. Our agreements are tailored to provide flexibility and affordability, particularly supporting small businesses in their growth and innovation endeavors. By licensing our intellectual property, you not only gain access to groundbreaking technology but also contribute to economic development and public welfare. We invite you to explore our technology portfolio, designed to give your organization a competitive edge in the market. Learn more about our licensing opportunities and the support we provide at: https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment. For specific discussions on how your business can benefit, please contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov.
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