The Need
Efficient carbon dioxide (CO₂) utilization and separation remain critical challenges in energy, chemical, and environmental sectors. Existing processes for CO₂ conversion to carbon monoxide (CO) and for separating CO₂/CO mixtures are energy-intensive, costly, and often lack selectivity, limiting their integration with fuel cell systems and downstream chemical production. There is a strong market demand for scalable solutions that enable high-purity CO₂ and CO streams, improve process efficiency, and support decarbonization initiatives.

The Technology
OSU engineers have developed a novel CO₂-selective membrane integrated with a solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) system. The membrane exhibits exceptional CO₂/CO selectivity (>1200 at 100–130°C) and high permeability, enabling efficient separation of CO₂ and CO from mixed gas streams. In operation, CO₂ is converted to CO within the SOFC, and the membrane module produces high-purity CO on the retentate side and high-purity CO₂ on the permeate side. The system simultaneously generates electricity and valuable chemical products, with flexible feedstock options including methane, ethane, propane, or syngas.

Commercial Applications
• On-site CO production for chemical synthesis (e.g., methanol, acetic acid)
• Enhanced hydrogen purification in syngas processing
• Decarbonization of natural gas and biogas power generation
• Olefin (ethylene, propylene) production from paraffins in petrochemical plants

Benefits/Advantages
• Ultra-high selectivity: Enables production of >99% pure CO₂ and CO streams, reducing downstream purification costs
• Energy efficiency: Integrates electricity generation with chemical conversion, maximizing resource utilization
• Process flexibility: Compatible with various hydrocarbon and syngas feeds, supporting diverse industrial needs
• Scalability and robustness: Membrane design supports multiple configurations