Development of energy storage systems for formate/formic acid generated by electroreduction of carbon dioxide process

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Mantra Energy Alternatives Ltd. is a research and development company located in Burnaby, BC, focused on developing innovative and cost effective solutions for carbon dioxide capture and alternative energy generation. Mantra Energy is on the verge of commercializing its proprietary electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide process (ERC), with major industrial partners. The product of the ERC process is a low-market value alkaline formate solution. To increase the economic competitiveness of the ERC process, Mantra Energy identified the need for value-added usage of the product alkaline formate solution for energy generation in a direct formate fuel cell. Therefore, the goal of the present project is to evaluate the novel Swiss-roll mixed reactant fuel cell (SR-MRFC) developed in Prof. Gyenge's laboratory, for feasibility of operation using Mantra's alkaline formate solution. This work will entail two objectives: screening of selected anode and cathode electrocatalysts and testing the operational durability of the SR-MRFC under conditions that could assure easy integration with Mantra's carbon dioxide sequestration process. This work is important in the effort to develop cost effective carbon dioxide sequestration technologies for major Canadian industrial customers in a variety of areas such as cement manufacturing and power generation using fossil fuels. Further, it will also contribute to the support and success of an innovative new electrochemical technology company, while providing excellent training opportunity for highly qualified personal in the field of catalyst selection, and novel fuel cell design and operation.