Subventions et des contributions :

Subvention ou bourse octroyée s'appliquant à plus d'un exercice financier (2017-2018 à 2018-2019).

The present project builds on Sigma Energy Storage's HT-CAES technology to integrate a CO2 processingx000D
module to provide increased efficacy and environmental benefits. Normally, the HT-CAES system compressesx000D
ambient air as the energy storage medium, but under Arctic conditions, using diesel exhaust in place of ambientx000D
air as the working fluid for compressed air energy storage, leads to the capture and liquefaction up to 58% ofx000D
CO2 from diesel exhaust. The liquefied CO2 can then be stored before being injected into an electrolyser,x000D
converting it into valuable fuels. The goal of this project is to develop a sustainable electrochemical processx000D
that will convert CO2 into valuable fuels via the CO2 Reduction Reaction (CO2RR), ideally ethanol which canx000D
be reused in the diesel generators to further reduce diesel consumption.x000D
To assess the electrocatalytic properties of the SES' copper/graphene nanoparticles towards CO2 conversion,x000D
we propose to develop an electrochemical cell, inspired from the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA)x000D
technology, coupled with analytical methods to detect and quantify the nature of formed products. For thisx000D
purpose, an electrochemical cell already used for previous CO2RR studies inside Daniel's Guay Laboratory willx000D
be modified for MEA insertion. Reaction parameters and electrochemical properties will be systematicallyx000D
evaluated by probing different catalysts in the MEA configuration. Gaseous products out of the CO2x000D
electrolyser will be sampled by GC analyses while aqueous products will be analysed by NMR spectroscopy.x000D
Careful attention will be devoted to the MEA design to enhance the number of available electrocatalyticallyx000D
active sites. Finally, the operating conditions will be varied to maximize the formation of desired productsx000D
(ethanol, as required by SES).x000D
The development of the electrochemical CO2 conversion technology has the potential for significant benefitsx000D
for Canada in terms of development of on-site CO2 valorization to value-added products and highly efficientx000D
renewable energy systems to reduce both diesel consumption and CO2 emissions.