North Haven, CT (June 16, 2023) - Precision Combustion, Inc. (PCI) was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research Phase IIB program from the Department of Energy (DOE) for a new approach to producing ethylene from ethane. PCI's approach offers the potential for significant reduction in energy costs and carbon emissions. This process may also be applicable to the gas-to-liquid conversion of other alkenes to their olefins.
Ethylene plays a crucial role as a foundational component in the production, packaging, energy and fuel sectors of the petrochemical industry. Its versatile applications and widespread use in multiple sectors are integral to the global economy. Current manufacture of ethylene via ethane steam reforming is typically done in using large cracking plants and comes with significant energy use and carbon emissions. PCI's approach offers high yield and selectivity while significantly cutting energy requirements and carbon emissions in converting ethane into intermediates, including ethylene, which can then be upgraded into liquid transportation fuels. In addition, it offers the potential for much smaller scale systems that may enable economic use with stranded natural gas wells.
In earlier phases, PCI demonstrated high yields of ethylene from ethane, enabling a lower energy pathway to olefins, and measured the highest reported experimental yield of ethylene via ethane oxidative dehydrogenation, 70%, with near elimination of the energy cost for the reactor. PCI showed that the reactor enables high product yields, minimizes side reactions, and enables economically viable production of liquid transportation fuels for scales ranging from small (1 MMSCF/day) natural gas wells (w/10% ethane) to potentially very large installations. In Phase IIB, PCI intends to further minimize overreaction in the reactor, and demonstrate durability with further increased ethylene yield.
Dr. Jeffrey Weissman, Senior Principal Scientist spearheading this project, comments, "Our understanding of ethylene formation using a simple process strategy has enabled the success of this program as recognized by this series of DOE program support." Kevin Burns, President of PCI, adds, "PCI is committed to pushing the boundaries of innovation. This new reactor approach shows promise, and we will do our best with it to deliver improved energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions."
Precision Combustion, Inc. is a clean energy and environmental technology company developing new reactors and systems for energy and environmental sector applications.
For more information, contact:
Stewart Rosenberg
Business Development Leader
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