Researchers from Haldor Topsoe, Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Danish Technological Institute, and Sintex have been part of the development of a groundbreaking technology that produces synthesis gas (syngas), an essential building block in the production of polymers and chemicals. The paper (Electrified methane reforming: A compact approach to greener industrial hydrogen production) describes a new and compact approach to producing syngas by steam methane reforming that can have a significant positive effect on CO2 emissions globally.

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“Today, approximately three percent of global CO2 emissions stem from the production of syngas – that is comparable to the emissions from all aviation. Our research indicate that we can reduce emissions from syngas production by a third, equaling one percent of global CO2 emissions,” said Sebastian Thor Wismann, lead author and PhD student at DTU Physics.

Another major benefit of the new technology is that it can reduce the size of the syngas reactor from a 30-meter-long six-story building to a unit 100 times smaller. Together with the outstanding energy efficiency and low CO2 emission, this makes the technology extremely commercially attractive when fully developed.

The research team has used computer simulations and lab testing to show that direct electric heating in combination with an innovative thin catalytic coating boosts both energy efficiency and catalytic efficiency. The improved efficiency saves CO2 in itself, but the real gain comes from replacing natural gas with electricity for heating the process to the 900°C necessary. The full potential is achieved when using green electricity from wind turbines or solar panels.

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“We see the electrified reactor as the next logical step for the chemical industry. With this approach, producers get a viable way to transform the industry going towards greener processes without increasing production cost,” said Peter Mølgaard Mortensen, Principal Scientist, Haldor Topsoe.

“This is not saving the world, but an important step towards utilizing renewable energy in the chemical industry,” said Ib Chorkendorff, Professor at DTU.

The research has been funded by Innovation Fund Denmark and Villum Foundation.

Source:
Technical University of Denmark