Tobias Hanrath (Cornell University)

Upgrading biogas emissions by modular pulsed electrochemcial CO2 reduction

This team aims to transition a novel CO2 electrolyzer technology from lab-to-market by demonstrating the operation of a prototype system to upgrade biogas generated by anaerobic digesters of dairy farms and landfills. The technological value proposition and core innovative claim derive from recent advances in pulse-modulated electrolysis to control and optimize the electrochemical reduction of CO2 to value-added products. This advance, coupled with inputs from an artificial neural network optimization algorithm enables robust and extended electrolyzer operation and dynamic response to changes in the input gas composition. The electrolyzer technology at the heart of the proposed project can be integrated as a retrofit to existing anaerobic digesters (ADs) as well as direct integration with new systems to upgrade biogas to renewable natural gas (RNG).

Funding Cycle: 2023-2024

Focus Area(s): Renewable Energy, Carbon Conversion