Tech Briefs Magazine - April 2024 - 48

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TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY
This monthly column explores the inter-relationships between technology and society. It features people and projects aiming to
deliver a positive impact on the world facing unprecedented social and environmental challenges.
The Path to Net-Zero with Green Propane
An electrolyzer device capable of converting carbon dioxide into propane could aid in meeting
decarbonization goals.
T
he electric power sector accounts for
about 30 percent of U.S. emissions of
carbon dioxide. As the U.S. races toward its
target of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions
by 2050, innovative methods to reduce
the significant CO2 emissions from
electric power and industrial sectors are
critical. A promising technology in green
energy that could aid in meeting decarbonization
goals is being developed by Mohammad
Asadi, Assistant Professor of
Chemical Engineering at Illinois Institute
of Technology.
The work involves converting CO2 into
propane using a novel electrolyzer in a
manner that is both scalable and economically
viable. What sets Asadi's electrolyzer
apart is its unique catalytic system.
" The electrolyzer's catalytic system
uses inexpensive, readily available materials
to produce tri-carbon molecules
- fundamental building blocks for fuels
like propane - in an efficient and economically
feasible fashion, " said Asadi.
To ensure a deep understanding of the
catalyst's operations, the team employed a
combination of experimental and computational
methods. This rigorous approach
illuminated the crucial elements influencing
the catalyst's reaction activity, selectivity,
and stability.
A distinctive feature of this technology,
lending to its commercial viability,
AT A GLANCE
INNOVATORS: Mohammad Asadi,
Assistant Professor of Chemical
Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology.
INNOVATION: An electrolyzer device
capable of converting carbon dioxide into
propane.
IMPACT: Carbon dioxide is converted into
propane in a manner that is both scalable
and economically viable.
48
conditions, we can refine our solutions to
better meet the evolving needs of target
communities, " he said.
This new electrolyzer design permits continuous
propane production, sidestepping the pitfalls of the
more conventional batch processing methods.
(Image: Illinois Tech)
is the implementation of a flow electrolyzer.
This design permits continuous
propane production, sidestepping the
pitfalls of the more conventional batch
processing methods.
According to Asadi, they faced many
technical and scientific challenges developing
this green propane technology. One
of the important ones, he said, was how
to move from single carbon molecules to
multi-carbon chemicals. " We discovered
an innovative catalytic system composed
of multiple components that work together
in synergy to go all the way from single
carbon (C1) to tri-carbon molecules (C3+)
products. "
The next challenge is to scale it up.
" Continuous innovation and iteration are
key to enhancing the scalability and effectiveness
of low-cost technology solutions.
By incorporating feedback from end-users,
monitoring performance metrics,
and adapting designs based on real-world
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The team has an ongoing project with
the DOE that helps it identify major challenges
and resolve them. " We are at the
100 W elecyrolyzer level and trying to
move toward a multi-stack kW scale process
to advance sustainable chemical manufacturing.
That will need significant fund
raising and industrial partners to help us
on this journey and we are hopeful to advance
this technology and contribute in
recent move toward decarbonizing economy
and the U.S. energy independence
and security, " added Asadi.
This innovation is not Asadi's first venture
into sustainable energy. He previously
adapted a version of this catalyst to produce
ethanol by harnessing carbon dioxide
from industrial waste gas. Recognizing the
potential of the green propane technology,
Asadi has collaborated with global propane
distributor SHV Energy to further scale
and disseminate the system.
Working on technologies designed to
bridge academic research with practical societal
applications is not an easy undertaking.
Asadi's advice for engineers is: " Establish
clear metrics and benchmarks to assess
the impact of your engineering solutions
on society. Collect data before, during, and
after implementation to evaluate effectiveness,
identify areas for improvement, and
demonstrate actual outcomes. "
Illinois Tech recently received a landmark
investment of $6 million from the
U.S. National Science Foundation under
its Accelerating Research Translation
(ART) initiative that will support Asadi's
team in bringing this technology closer to
real-world application, which is a substantial
step toward achieving net-zero greenhouse
gas emissions.
This article was written by Chitra Sethi,
Editorial Director at SAE Media Group.
For more information, visit www.iit.edu.
Tech Briefs, April 2024

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Tech Briefs Magazine - April 2024

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