Description of the Project

The H2FLEX project aims to convert the residual streams of CO2 (from external combustion processes and fermentation) and O2 (from water electrolysis) into energy carriers and platform chemicals using “green” H2 through an orthogonal application of biotechnological and chemical processes. 

Initially, CO2, O2 and H2 are converted by oxyhydrogen fermentation, resulting in biomass and longer-chain organic acids as end products. These intermediates are converted into yeast oil as a uniform energy store by coupling enzymatic processes with yeast oil fermentation. The biogenic CO2 generated in this process is captured and converted into short- to medium-chain alcohols using H2.

The thermocatalytic conversion to be used here is to be carried out using a tailor-made carrier material into which bimetallic reaction centers are introduced. Initially, CO2 is converted to hydrocarbons via alcohol formation in an H2/H2O atmosphere. As a process extension, the triglycerides of the yeast oil are also to be incorporated, so that hydrocarbons in the chain length range of kerosene/diesel are produced on the basis of CO2. The identified catalysts will then be subjected to process-oriented optimization by the industrial partner to enable downstream scaling.

A process simulation is designed vertically across all process steps, which forms the basis for a holistic techno-economic and life cycle analysis that enables a quantitative ecological and economic process evaluation.

 

Staff

• Dr. Marion Ringel (scientific project management)
• Dr. Daniel Garbe (admin. project management)
• Marieke Willing