Navy researchers at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Materials Science and Technology Division, demonstrate proof-of-concept of
novel NRL technologies developed for the recovery of carbon dioxide (CO
2) and hydrogen (H
2) from seawater and conversion to a liquid hydrocarbon fuel.
Flying a radio-controlled replica of the historic WWII P-51 Mustang red-tail aircraft—of the legendary Tuskegee Airmen—NRL researchers (l to r) Dr. Jeffrey Baldwin, Dr. Dennis Hardy, Dr. Heather Willauer, and Dr. David Drab (crouched), successfully demonstrate a novel liquid hydrocarbon fuel to power the aircraft's unmodified two-stroke internal combustion engine. The test provides proof-of-concept for an NRL developed process to extract carbon dioxide (CO
2) and produce hydrogen gas (H
2) from seawater, subsequently catalytically converting the CO
2 and H
2 into fuel by a gas-to-liquids process.
Using an innovative and proprietary NRL electrolytic cation exchange module (E-CEM), both dissolved and bound CO
2 are removed from seawater at 92 percent efficiency by re-equilibrating carbonate and bicarbonate to CO
2 and simultaneously producing H
2. The gases are then converted to liquid hydrocarbons by a metal catalyst in a reactor system.
"In close collaboration with the Office of Naval Research P38 Naval Reserve program, NRL has developed a game changing technology for extracting, simultaneously, CO
2 and H
2 from seawater," said Dr. Heather Willauer, NRL research chemist. "This is the first time technology of this nature has been demonstrated with the potential for transition, from the laboratory, to full-scale commercial implementation."