The developer of a catalyst technology to make transportation fuels and other valuable products from natural gas plans to bring its re-forming technology to market.

Carbon Sciences Inc., Santa Barbara, Calif., the developer of a new catalyst technology to make transportation fuels and other valuable products from natural gas, plans to bring its re-forming technology to market.

“We are currently developing this catalyst specifically as a drop-in replacement catalyst for use by the existing 2,000 steam re-forming plants worldwide,” says Byron Elton, CEO, adding that the goal this year is to prove the technology’s commercial viability.

The initial plan includes continued catalyst testing and validation, modifying and optimizing the base catalyst, filing additional patents to broaden and strengthen the global patent portfolio, and developing a commercial version (pellets) of the catalyst for steam re-forming applications.

The second half of the plan involves selecting and signing a partnership agreement with an engineering firm and a catalyst manufacturing company.

"The unique low-coking characteristic of our catalyst will enable steam re-forming plants around the world to operate at a substantially lower steam-to-methane ratio, resulting in lower operating costs, lower capital costs, lower carbon footprint and increased production,” Elton says.