Highly Efficient Reactor for Conversion of CO2 and H2O to Carbon Neutral Fuels and Chemicals

Project Information

HiCon

Grant agreement ID: 101130954

DOI

10.3030/101130954

EC signature date 11 October 2023

Start date 1 November 2023

End date 31 October 2026

Funded under

• The European Innovation Council (EIC)

Total cost

€ 2 250 500,00

EU contribution

€ 2 250 500,00

Coordinated by

SYNERGEIES STIN EPISTIMI KAI TECHNOLOGIA-SYNEST IDIOTIKI KEFALAIOUCHIKI ETAIREIA
Greece

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - HiCon (Highly Efficient Reactor for Conversion of CO2 and H2O to Carbon Neutral Fuels and Chemicals)

Reporting period: 2023-11-01 to 2024-10-31

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

The project pursues a novel, highly efficient technology, to enable the synthesis of Carbon Neutral Fuels and Chemicals from CO2 and H2O employing renewable energy is proposed. The approach is based on an innovative reactor technology that produces cost-effectively green precursors for Carbon Neutral Fuels and Chemicals.

The technology enables operation at non-demanding, low temperatures with unprecedented efficiency that overcomes many of the key challenges of existing technologies, exploiting radical innovations in materials and reactor engineering. The modular, easily scalable, reactor design can be integrated in/ coupled to a number of technological values chains, processes and industrial sectors, providing a sustainable pathway to net zero and achieving the European decarbonization goals.

This is a cross-cutting, transformative technology for energy intensive industries, while maintaining the value of past investments in existing infrastructures (e.g. in downstream hydrocarbon processing, power generation technology, automotive industry). As such it consists of a real “just transition”, one that “leaves no one behind” as it does not disrupt the fabric of the society by marginalizing the specialized and capable European workforce in these sectors.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

Work performed during the first year of the project focused on materials synthesis, simulation and modelling and small reactor engineering in order to guide future system scale up.
Main achievements include the modelling and simulation of a first-of-its-kind reactor and the synthesis of active redox materials for further incorporation into the reactor. The simulation and experimental data regarding pressure drop through the reactor are self-consistent and provide a solid base for future scale up.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

The modelling and simulation of the first of a kind HICON reactor has been achieved.