US scientists turn wasted methane into valuable liquid fuel using low cost catalyst

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day, reviewed by our editorial team. Read the full piece on Interesting Engineering or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: US Department of Energy researchers at Brookhaven National Laboratory have developed a low-cost, sulfur-tolerant molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) catalyst that converts wasted methane into liquid chemicals, including methyl peroxide, a precursor to methanol and other fuels
• The catalyst operates below 100°C, is highly selective, and resists sulfur deactivation common in raw natural gas

🔭 The context: Methane vented or flared at oil and gas sites contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions while wasting valuable energy
• Existing catalysts for methane-to-liquid conversion are expensive and sensitive to contaminants
• The BNL approach uses commercially available MoS₂ with minimal processing, offering a scalable, durable, and cost-effective alternative for capturing stranded methane

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: This technology could reduce methane emissions from oil and gas operations, a greenhouse gas ~80 times more potent than CO₂ over 20 years, while producing transportable, energy-dense fuels
• Converting waste methane mitigates climate impact and promotes low-carbon chemical and energy production

⏭️ What’s next: Brookhaven has filed a provisional patent and is exploring broader applications for varying natural gas compositions
• Future work will likely focus on scaling the process for industrial use, integrating it with upstream oil and gas infrastructure, and commercializing sustainable methane-to-fuel production

💬 One quote: “This catalyst captures essentially what is waste or unusable and makes it usable.” – Steve Farrell, PhD, Brookhaven National Laboratory

📈 One stat: The MoS₂ catalyst converts methane into liquid oxygenates with high selectivity at 167°F (75°C)

Track the real‑world impact behind the sustainability headlines. Illuminem’s Data Hub™ offers transparent performance data and climate targets of companies driving the transition.

Click for more news covering the latest on carbon and natural gas and subscribe to our newsletter for the stories shaping the future of sustainability.