Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Photocatalytic Conversion of Low-cost Light Hydrocarbons to Value-added Fuel and Chemicals at Ambient Conditions

Increasing worldwide energy demand has sparked research interests towards the direct transformation of low-cost light hydrocarbons like natural gas into valuable liquid fuels or chemicals. Conventional thermo-catalytic approaches to achieve these reactions require high reaction temperatures (> 673 K), resulting in less desired products formation with severe coke. Non-thermal plasma (NTP) technology offers an attractive alternative since its non-equilibrium characteristics enable thermodynamically unfavorable chemical reactions to readily occur at low temperature and atmospheric pressure. Coupled with specially tailored catalyst, the product selectivity can be better tuned for high valuable commodity formation. We herein propose to organically combine NTP and heterogeneous photocatalysis to effectively valorize light hydrocarbons with limited coke deposition at near room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The outcomes from this proposed one will further ascertain the leading position of Canada in the world’s energy market through more efficient and cleaner utilization of low-cost hydrocarbons abundant in Canada.

Faculty Supervisor:

Hua Song

Student:

Partner:

Carbon Upcycling Technologies Inc

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Construction and infrastructure; Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Calgary

Program: