The Travertine process converts aqueous sulfate into sulfuric acid and caustic solutions through electrolysis, generating clean and competitively priced hydrogen. The process involves three primary units. Initially, electrolysis divides aqueous sulfate into sulfuric acid and caustic solutions. Subsequently, Direct Air Capture (DAC) utilizes the caustic solution to extract CO2 from the air, yielding a carbonate solution. Lastly, the carbonate solution reacts with sulfate byproducts to form minerals and regenerate aqueous sulfate through mineralization. This scalable process eliminates the need for sulfuric acid, a byproduct of fossil fuel refining and a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in inorganic chemical and hydrogen production. Utilizing sulfate byproducts from mining and fertilizer production to manufacture valuable industrial products minimizes waste and operational costs. Additionally, producing cost-effective hydrogen promotes the transition from traditional natural gas-based methods.
University of California, Berkeley
