Efficient Integrated Methanol Synthesis Using Carbon from Direct Air Capture

 
 

Contract Number : DE-FE0032400

Project Description

The goal of this project is for TDA Research, in collaboration with Verde Clean Fuels, SLB, and the University of Colorado Denver (UCD), to complete a conceptual design study for an integrated direct air capture and carbon dioxide utilization system (DACUS) that captures and utilizes carbon dioxide (CO2) in an integrated methanol (MeOH) synthesis unit. You can
find more info here.

CBP Summary

In this project, our CBP goal is to increase diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) at TDA and in the workforce. As part of this program, we will employ and mentor college interns, hold seminars at local schools and institute DEIA training for project members. We will track the project benefits and disadvantages in a Justice 40 analysis for both a Phase II system and a commercial system. We will perform a stakeholder analysis and identify stakeholders. In addition, we will draft a quality jobs plan and promote professional development in our project team.

Our Partners

  • SLB

    SLB is advancing their New Energy portfolio, which consists of new businesses in
    low-carbon and carbon-neutral energy technologies; they announced a commitment to be net zero by 2050. They
    are building partnerships to help other industries reduce their emissions. Decarbonization across the
    industry includes reducing emissions from oil and gas operations, electrification of infrastructure and
    reducing or eliminating flaring.

  • University of Colorado, Denver (UCD)

    Dr. Arunprakash Karunanithi from the University of Colorado, Denver (UCD) will complete a Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) for the full-scale system.

  • Verde Clean Fuels

    Verde is dedicated to producing green transportation fuels (initially from waste- and
    bio-based syngas production). Their STG+ technology turns renewable feedstocks into finished drop-in fuel
    that requires no additional refining. In addition, they have a technology that reduces gas flaring by
    turning natural gas and flare gas into liquid fuels. They have experience with assessing the project impacts
    on the community and adverse effects on human beings. This includes identifying significant effects of the
    project and mitigating or avoiding these effects where feasible.

Milestones

SMART Goal # Brief Description Metric Success
DEIA 1 College Seminar # of attendees At least 10 students attend each seminar
DEIA 2 College Interns # of underrepresented candidates in applicant pool Increase number of underrepresented candidates in applicant pool by at least 3 from previous applicant pools
DEIA 3 Track DEIA # of project managers who undergo DEIA training At least 10 students attend each seminar
J40I 4 Project Benefits and Disadvantages # of benefits/downsides identified At least 5 in total identified
CSE 5 Identify Stakeholders # of stakeholders identified At least 5 in total identified
QJ 6 Promoted Professional Development # of project members utilizing TDA’s professional development fund At least 2 project members utilize the fund

See each goal bellow for more specific description, as well as the current progress of the goal.

Goal Description

There will be at least one seminar talking about the results of the project to college students in Colorado.

Goal Description

Increase the diversity of the intern applicant pool.

Current Progress

  • Job Postings

    We listed job postings for several interns:

    1. Summer Engineering Intern (college)
    2. Summer CAD Intern (college)

    To increase the diversity of the applicant pool, we posted the Summer Engineering Intern on the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) website found here in addition to our standard websites where we post our job openings.

Goal Description

Track the percentage of underrepresented staff and funds spend on DEIA training.

Current Progress

  • Implementing Tracking

    For the DEIA Plan, we began tracking diversity of the current staff here at TDA: (TDA currently has 126 people on staff)

    1. 14% minority
    2. 26% female
    3. 4 veterans and 3 personnel have self-identified with a disability

    We are in the process of adding tracking for labor and expenses spent on the DEIA activities by adding separate charge codes for these activities.

    We are also tracking the diversity of the applicant pools for interns:

    1. Summer Chemist Intern (2023) – 43% minority and 43% female out of 53 applicants
    2. Summer Engineering Intern (2023) – 54% minority and 25% female out of 59 applicants

Goal Description

Determine the positive and negative effects that this project would have on the surrounding area that it
is implemented into.

    Goal Description

    Identify the stakeholders of the community that the project will be implemented into.

    Current Progress

    • Identified Stakeholders
      Stakeholders Sector Level of Engagement
      Nearby HOAs Concerned member of public Active public participant
      Nearby low income housing Disadvantaged communities Active public participant
      Nearby businesses Business Active public participant
      Nearby Schools Education Active public participant
      Colorado Community Colleges and Universities Education Advisory Committee
      City of Golden – Mayor’s Office Government Active public participant
      City of Golden – Parks and Open Spaces Government Working group member
      Golden Planning Division Community Planning Active public participant
      Jefferson County Colorado Public Health Public Health and Safety Working group member
      State of Colorado – Governor’s Office Government Working group member
      Federal Senator and Representative’s Office Government Active public participant
      Technical experts Industry Working group member
      SLB Industry Advisory Committee
      Unions Industry Working group member
      Environmental Groups Environmental NGOs Working group member
      SPARCC Community Planning Advisory Committee
      Tribal Leaders Tribal communities Active public participant
      Colorado Public Concerned member of public Active public participant
    • This Website

      This website is meant to detail all of the CBP and their details. On the main page, there is also a survey for feedback!

    Goal Description

    Train, retain, and attract skilled and or well-qualified workers through the use of TDA’s professional
    development fund.