DOE Invests Nearly $14 Million To Develop Carbon Conversion Pathways

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management (FECM) today announced $13.7 million in federal funding for four projects that will advance large-scale conversion of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions into environmentally responsible and economically valuable products. With funding provided by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, projects will help develop conversion technologies that feasibly produce crucial fuels, building materials, and other carbon-based products from captured carbon emissions.

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“Chemicals production and petroleum refining industries are vital for the U.S. economy and our nation’s energy security, but are also responsible for significant carbon emissions,” said Brad Crabtree, Assistant Secretary of Fossil Energy and Carbon Management. “DOE’s investments in carbon conversion technology will support new economic opportunities and job creation, while providing lower-emissions carbon product alternatives for these industries at the same time.”

The selected projects will support two areas of focus:

1. Engineering-scale testing of electrochemical systems for converting carbon dioxide emissions into value-added products, such as engineering polymer/resin precursors, specialty chemicals, and commodity chemicals.

2. Feasibility studies that examine retrofitting refineries and petrochemical facilities for carbon conversion:

• Dioxide Materials Inc. (Boca Raton, Florida) plans to scale technology for the production of low-greenhouse gas ethanol and mevalonic acid via a combination of electrolysis and bioprocessing.

• Terraforma Carbon LLC (State College, Pennsylvania) aims to evaluate the technical and economic feasibility of carbon capture and conversion to methanol by modeling a retrofit of Shell’s Norco refinery in St. Charles Parish, Louisiana using molten salt-based capture technology.

• Thiozen Inc. (Pasadena, California) plans to explore the use of a hydrogen sulfide reforming technology to produce low-cost and low-emissions methanol.

• Twelve Benefit Corp. (Berkeley, California) seeks to accelerate the production of low-carbon chemicals and syngas through rapid research, development, and deployment of its CO2 electrolyzers.

DOE’s National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), under the purview of FECM, will manage the selected projects. A detailed list of the selected projects can be found here.

These projects support the goals of DOE’s Clean Fuels and Products Energy Earthshot, which aims to meet projected 2050 net-zero emissions demands for 100% of aviation fuel; 50% of maritime, rail, and off-road fuel; and 50% of carbon-based chemicals by using sustainable carbon resources.

FECM reduces emissions from fossil energy production and use and key industrial processes, while strengthening U.S. energy and critical minerals security. To learn more, visit the FECM website. Sign up for FECM news announcements and visit the National Energy Technology Laboratory website_. _