George Fulham – Pitch battle: new applications of Pd and Rh

ABSTRACT

* Corresponding author: gf325@cam.ac.uk

Supervisor: Ewa J. Marek¹

Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Philippa Fawcett Drive CB3 0AS. University of Cambridge, United Kingdom.

Keywords: renewable power, intermittency, power-to-methanol, direct air capture, techno-economic analysis

Direct air capture is an emerging pathway to remove atmospheric CO₂; however, strategies are needed for handling the captured carbon. Geological sequestration – i.e. the storing of CO₂ underground – is one option, but is not possible without access to suitable sites and a pipeline network for CO₂ transport. Instead, we can convert captured CO₂ into methanol, yielding a liquid alcohol product, which is far easier to transport and store than gaseous CO₂. The widespread downstream uses of methanol, with an annual demand of around 100 million tonnes, also enable long-term CO₂ storage in suitable products.

BIOGRAPHY

George is second-year PhD student at the University of Cambridge, working in the Energy Reactions and Carriers group in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology. His work studies methanol synthesis from carbon dioxide, taking in studies on catalysts and plant-scale modelling to address the issue of renewable power intermittency in power-to-methanol production pathways. George previously worked as part of the Aviation Impact Accelerator at the University of Cambridge, investigating alternative fuels and production routes with which to decarbonise aviation.