We seek to stimulate a fast and sustainable energy transition while recognizing the critical value of water throughout the entire green hydrogen value chain.
Green hydrogen plays a key role in the defosillization of base chemicals and industrial production [1]. Despite the global potential for green hydrogen, affordable production using wind or solar energy is limited, mostly to regions the global south [2]. Unfortunately, clean water, as main resource for green hydrogen, is finite and often scarce in these regions [3]. To address these challenges, the use of multiple water source must be considered. The entire process chain from hydrogen to follow-up derivates is referred to as Power-to-X (PtX). The German research project H2Mare has the goal to cover the entire PtX value chain, with an additional focus on water as the primary resource for green hydrogen. The project addresses technical aspects of offshore hydrogen and PtX production, as well as knowledge transfer and upscaling.
Methanol synthesis has received considerable attention and is a significant topic in future global energy discussions. Creating a sustainable and cost-effective process relies on effective process design, control, and optimization. A crucial tool in this context is having an accurate process model. The choices made regarding the carbon source and reaction kinetics significantly impact the structure of the model used. Therefore, there is ongoing research to develop a comprehensive model for methanol synthesis.
The interdependence of the management of water and energy is noted to date but not specifically addressed. While fresh water resources worldwide are already being overexploited, the global (green) energy transition will place additional stress on their recharge ability due to an increased application of PtX technologies. By deriving open-access models for various applications of the green hydrogen value chain, we aim to secure a fast but water-smart and sustainable energy transition.
DECHEMA has bundled various aspects of the energy transition with regard to water management in the Water-for-X roadmap.
Kinetic model included is Vanden Bussche and Froment based on Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst. The preferred temperature range for this catalyst is between 210 - 250 °C. Specific kinetic parameters are also taken from the reference paper [4]. The reactor design parameters are calibrated and optimized for the specific model conditions.
Input parameters:
- initial concentrations of CO, CO2, H2, H2O, CH3OH, inert gases
- technical specification of the reactor (dimensions)
- catalyst mass, the operating temperature and pressure
[1] Geres, R., Kohn, A., Lenz, S. C., Ausfelder, F., Bazzanella, A., Möller, A., (2019). Future Camp Climate GmbH, DECHEMA, Roadmap Chemie 2050 auf dem Weg zu einer treibhausgasneutralen chemischen Industrie in Deutschland, ISBN: 978-3-89746-223-6
[2] The Future of Hydrogen, IEA, Technology report 2019
[3] Water Risk Institute (WRI), Aqueduct (2019). Overall water risk
[4] Outi Mäyrä, Kauko Leiviskä, Chapter 17 - Modeling in Methanol Synthesis, Elsevier, 2018, Pages 475-492, ISBN 9780444639035, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-444-63903-5.00017-0, (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780444639035000170)