Alternative CO Sources

Environmentally Responsible Sources of CO

Novomer can use several different sustainable sources of carbon monoxide to make acrylic acid, succinic acid, or butanediol. These include the following:

1. Biomass Gasification – Technology is available to gasify switchgrass, wood chips, and other agricultural byproducts into mixtures of CO and H₂. Additionally, heavy carbonaceous materials (pet coke, heavy tars, etc.) that are waste products from industry can also be gasified.
2. CO₂ to CO Conversion – A major industrial gas provider is developing a novel technology to convert CO₂ to CO using a reverse electrochemical fuel cell concept. The process will produce carbon negative CO that is cost competitive.
3. Industrial Waste Gas – CO is a waste product of many industrial processes. For example, the steel industry produces 0.5 Ton CO/Ton steel and burns it is a low grade fuel. This waste gas could be a viable feedstock source for Novomer’s technology.

Illustration Source: Oak Ridge National