New project builds on previous work to find viable use cases for carbon produced through methane pyrolysis.
InnoTech Alberta is looking for industry partners and funders to support a new project that explores the viability of byproduct carbon generated through methane pyrolysis.
The Methane Pyrolysis Carbon Use in Asphalt and Aluminum Smelting Anodes Demonstration Project will test and optimize how the carbon byproduct performs in asphalt and aluminum smelting materials.
Collaborative Foundations
The project builds on work completed through a previous Joint Industry Project (JIP) involving Alberta Innovates, the County of Grande Prairie, Ekona Power, FortisBC Energy and Natural Resources Canada Office of Energy Research and Development (NRCan OERD). Completed earlier this year, the JIP explored potential applications for elemental carbon produced through methane pyrolysis and established the foundation for this next phase of work.
Methane pyrolysis, a process that produces hydrogen by separating methane into hydrogen and solid carbon, is attracting interest as a potentially lower-emission technology. While the process produces hydrogen without direct carbon dioxide emissions, it also generates significant quantities of elemental carbon.
Nearly three tonnes of carbon are produced for every tonne of hydrogen, which means viable applications for carbon are essential to ensuring the commercial success of the methane pyrolysis process.
In the end, the JIP identified 11 potential use cases that demonstrate potential technical and economic viability.
New Possibilities
InnoTech will validate two of the most technically promising applications with large potential offtake markets through the Methane Pyrolysis Carbon Use in Asphalt and Aluminum Smelting Anodes Demonstration Project.
The first use case will evaluate methane pyrolysis carbon in asphalt paving. The research team will work with partners to develop a hot mix of asphalt that will be tested and optimized at lab scale before a year-long road paving trial.
The second use case will consider whether methane pyrolysis carbon can be used in aluminum smelting anodes with a pelletization or granulation process. Those anodes will be tested at lab scale.
Both projects will conclude with updated market and economic assessments to help determine their commercialization potential.
Partner with us
This project is seeking funding and partnerships with the following:
- Federal and provincial government funding agencies
- Industry alliances
- Methane pyrolysis technology and project developers
- Universities
- Municipalities
- Asphalt producers and paving companies
- Aluminum producers
To learn more or express your interest in participating in the Methane Pyrolysis Carbon Use in Asphalt and Aluminum Smelting Anodes Demonstration Project, email martin.huard@innotechalberta.ca or victor.bachmann@innotechalberta.ca.