A number of projects have already been carried out in the research area of Hydrogen Based Energy Systems.

Selected Projects

The main objective of CORALIS is to create pathways for the decarbonisation of resource and energy intensive sector value chains through the implementation of viable industrial symbiosis approaches combining new business and management strategies with innovative technology-based enablers.

This whole approach will be demonstrated in three real industrial areas covering different sectors, geographical dimensions and resources, improving the knowledge basis and laying the foundations for exploiting the potential of Industrial Symbiosis in EU process industry.

In a subproject, IET and ICEBE (Institute of Chemical, Environmental and Bioscience Engineering) analyzed a (reversible) Haber Bosch synthesis for H2 storage via NH3 and the reconversion via simulation. The idea is to use green hydrogen from electrolysis by VOEST Alpine to provide hydrogen needed by Borealis to produce ammonia in their current Haber Bosch reactor. The effects on the synthesis of using green high-purity hydrogen instead of hydrogen from steam reforming were studied. The ammonia can function as a favorable hydrogen storage until reconversion. After splitting back into hydrogen, different purification routes to remove the nitrogen were analyzed, depending on the quality required for specific applications at VOEST Alpine. An important part of this purification are the membranes developed at ICEBE.

The picture shows the two logos of VOEST Alpine and Borealis. An arrow indicates that green hydrogen is moved from VOEST to Borealis where it enters a stylized reactor for synthesis to ammonia.

Contact IET

Markus HAIDER
E-mail: markus.haider@tuwien.ac.at

Contact ICEBE

Michael HARASEK
E-mail: michael.harasek@tuwien.ac.at

Contact Sub-Project Reversible Haber-Bosch-Synthese

Johannes LINDORFER
E-mail: lindorfer@energieinstitut-linz.at

Contact Project Coralis, opens an external URL in a new window

 

 

A consortium of leading institutions and companies led by TU Wien has launched the innovative 'Direct Carbon Capture and Electrolysis' (directCCE) research project. The project is funded by the Austrian Climate and Energy Funds through Research Agency (FFG) in connection with the call for bids 'Vorzeigeregion Energie'. As part of the innovation network NEFI (New Energy for Industry), this project aims to make a significant contribution to achieving climate neutrality in the intensive and manufacturing industries, securing Austria's position as a leading industrial location.

With a total budget of 3.95 million euros and a duration until October 2025, directCCE brings together partners such as Wien Energie, Scheuch Group, GIG Karasek GmbH, ENRAG GmbH, Montanuniversität Leoben, University of Innsbruck, NOVAPECC GmbH and TU Wien. The goal is to demonstrate a novel technology for the direct conversion of CO2 emissions from waste incineration plants into valuable raw materials.

directCCE builds on previous research on combining CO2 absorption and direct electrocatalytic conversion, enabling the synthesis of synthetic hydrocarbons in a comparatively simple process. The project aims to demonstrate this technology on a semi-industrial scale, with a capacity of about one ton of CO2 per week.

Group picture TUW and Novapecc

directCCE test rig (From left to right: Georg Brunauer, Martin Schulz, Felix Ettlinger, Markus Haider)

The project's centerpiece is an integrated CO2 capture and electrolysis process that converts CO2-rich flue gas into synthesis gas. This gas then serves as a raw material to produce climate-neutral hydrocarbons. A specially developed combination of an electrolyte, capable of dissolving large quantities of CO2, with highly efficient catalysts for the electrochemical CO2 conversion plays a central role. This innovative process promises lower energy consumption, high cycle stability, and lower investment costs compared to traditional processes. 

With milestones such as the establishment of infrastructure, completion of flue gas treatment, and optimization of the catalyst material, directCCE not only pursues technological advancements but also a clear strategy for the patenting and exploitation of the developed technologies. The project's results will be crucial in facilitating the transition to a climate-neutral waste incineration and simultaneously promoting the development of proprietary technologies 'Made in Austria'.

process scheme

The directCCE project is a pioneering step towards the complete decarbonization of industrial energy systems, highlighting Austria's commitment to sustainable industrial processes and environmental protection. By bringing together science, industry, and technology, directCCE demonstrates how innovative solutions can contribute to tackling the climate crisis while simultaneously strengthening Austria's economic location.

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Contact

Univ.Prof. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.
Markus HAIDER
Phone: +43 1 58801 30208
Email: markus.haider@tuwien.ac.at