Project description
Turning CO2 into energy storage
CO2 emissions remain a challenge, particularly from decentralised sources like wastewater treatment plants. In this context, the EU-funded ILIMITED project aims to tackle this issue by introducing a groundbreaking method for converting CO2 into methanol, an energy-dense fuel. Utilising ionic liquid sorbents, ILIMITED’s system achieves over 80 % methanol yield (surpassing the current standard of 60 %). Key innovations include a 3D-printed reactor for enhanced fluid dynamics and a catalyst encapsulation technology that prevents fouling and improves stability. This approach enables efficient, low-pressure methanol synthesis from biogas-derived CO2, positioning wastewater treatment plants as potential biorefineries. By 2030, this technology could convert 21 million tonnes of CO2 into 65 TWh of energy, bolstering Europe’s energy storage efforts.
Objective
ILIMITED proposal targets the first-ever ionic liquid sorbent methanol synthesis enabling over 80% yield production thanks to a high selective encapsulation technology for creating an unique long-term energy storage integrated process due to the decentralized conversion of CO2 sources through an accurate 3D-printing reactor technology.
ILIMITED proposes a breakthrough integrated system that encompass several key technological advances (KTAs): KTA1| High selective thermo-catalytic methanol synthesis reaction system through in-situ product removal by ionic liquid able to increase current SoA maximum yield (60%) to over 80%, KTA2| Catalyst encapsulation for the fouling and poison prevention of the Cu/ZnO/Al2O3 catalyst will allow the gas to diffuse over the catalyst while avoiding direct contact with ionic liquid, leading to a efficient and stable operation of methanol synthesis and KTA3| a 3D-printed fluid guiding reactor able rise up to 5-15% the total conversion in the reactor, circumventing the thermodynamic limitations thanks to the maximization of the fluid contact through the above the SoA micro-channels ad-hoc designed for the reactor. Based on advantages, the technology has an upper hand against the conventional methods also in utilizing local small scale CO2 sources, avoiding high heat exchange duty and allowing operation at lower pressures.
ILIMITED targets the use of this technology in WWTP as possible future biorefineries, enabling long-term energy storage and fuel production while providing a source of methanol for use in denitrification. By utilizing carbon dioxide from biogas, the potential for energy storage is enormous as the anaerobic digestion (AD) sector grows. With 21 million tons of CO2 per year from AD sources available by 2030, the readily available energy from produced e-methanol is estimated to be over 65 TWh, which is a large contribution to a stable energy supply compared to the average monthly electricity consumption (220 TWh).
Keywords
Programme(s)
- HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility Main Programme
Funding Scheme
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation ActionsCoordinator
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia