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).
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences chemical sciences organic chemistry alcohols
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.2.5 - Climate, Energy and Mobility
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-RIA - HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-CL5-2024-D2-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.