Energy Conversion Systems

In the Project "DynElectro" we investigate the dynamics of water electrolysis processes and try to elucidate the underlying reaction, transport and degradation processes at different time and length scales, by coupling experimental and modeling approaches. Thereby, we have strong interactions with the Max Planck ResearchNetwork MaxNetEnergy in which we collaborate with national and international top experts in catalysis (Prof. Schlögl, MPI CEC; Prof. Hutchings, U Cardiff). [more]

In this project, we investigate process systems converting hydrogen and carbon dioxide into chemicals and energy carriers (sustainable fuels). Our parti­cu­lar contributions to this exciting area are the system-wide analysis of many alternative process routes by advanced optimization techniques, the incorporation of model-based dynamic process analysis and optimization, and conceptual process design approaches based on accurate thermodynamic models for pure substan­ces and mixtures. [more]

In the project "R2Chem: Renewables-to-Chemicals Process Networks", we investigate process systems converting alternative and renewable resources into chemicals (intermediate commodities, synthesis gas) and energy carriers (sustainable fuels). Advanced optimization and superstructure approaches are applied for the production system level problems (CO2 methanation), thermodynamic network flow problems and for the selection of separation sequences on the chemical plant level. [more]

Moreover, in the framework of our third energy Project "DynFC", we started embedding microkinetic reaction networks into our multiscale design methodology, exemplified for the computer aided design of a natural gas fed PEM fuel cell system (in collaboration with Prof. Maestri, Politechnico di Milano). Currently we are trying to understand the role of the CO content in the feed and the water distri­bution on the dynamic behavior of PEM fuel cells using spatially resolved measuring techniques (to­ge­ther with the network GECKO: GErman-Canadian co-operation on Kinetics and mass transport Opti­mi­­zation in PEM fuel cells; Canada: CaRPE-FC, Germany: FhG-ISE, FhG-ICT, U Freiburg, ZSW). [more]