Periodic Reporting for period 1 - EPOCH (Electrocatalytic Production of liquid Organic hydrogen carrier and CHemicals from lignin)
Reporting period: 2022-10-01 to 2023-09-30
EPOCH will enable better cell performance and enhanced added-value device operations by (i) improving energy efficiency, (ii) allowing cost reductions, and (iii) intensifying the process. The EPOCH device will be designed for flexible integration with biorefineries and pulp & paper industries, to valorize their lignin waste streams, thus, linking these industrial sectors and H2 economy. EPOCH will allow the production of green H2 in areas where renewable energy production (in the energy mix) is higher. Therefore, EPOCH will offer a new path to effectively decrease the carbon footprint of energy-intensive industries.
Development of the novel EPOCH electrocatalytic device requires (a) advanced components (electrocatalysts, electrodes, electrolytes and ionic liquid promoters, membranes) and (b) validation of the full module cell operation at laboratory scale. Thus, our project integrates multidisciplinary top-experts in areas such as electrocatalysis, lignin chemistry, and materials synthesis, with a large engineering company on energy transition and a SME world-leading the LOHC technology development and logistic.
The overall objectives of the EPOCH project are:
1) To develop and validate an innovative technology of direct green H2-carrier (LOHC) production, based on renewable energy, without use of fossil fuels, and combined with the coproduction of carbon-neutral bio-derived chemicals.
2) To exploit waste materials and abundant natural lignin resources and to minimize the use of critical raw materials (CRMs) for cell development.
More specifically, during this period, the progress towards the overall objectives is listed below:
1) We have identified three (bio-based) LOHCs as target molecules (D1.1 Task 1 in WP1).
2) We have identified six anodic oxidation reactions and two approaches from five lignin-derived reactants (substrates) (D1.2 Task 1 in WP2).
3) We have identified membranes and conducted initial activity tests (D3.1 Task 1 in WP3).
4) We have conducted a theoretical screening of electrolyte promoters based on the identified reactants, three representative lignin model compounds, and one dimer (Task 2 in WP3).
5) The identification and development of cathodes and anodes have been studied from both catalysts and supports, and their performances have been tested using different cell configurations (Task 2 in WP1; Task 2 in WP2).
6) We have started purchasing equipment for assembling the cell, and system assessments have been planned (WP4, WP5).
7) In parallel, we have actively disseminated, communicated, and exploited our project and the project outcomes through different channels, including those in portfolio activities (WP6-WP8), and in particular, we have organized one international workshop in August of 2023.
Within the first period, 10 deliverables were submitted in time, and 4 milestones were achieved.