Regarding CO2 capture, membrane contactors were demonstrated as intensifier of CO2 capture processes, allowing reduction of CAPEX of the installation. This was firstly realised with a TRL 5 pilot installed in DK6 allowing successful long-duration tests (2000 hours) on real blast furnace gases. Results obtained in terms of CO2 absorption, production and outlet purity matched required specifications and validated technological choices made. A TRL6 pilot was then constructed and validated on-site. It is now able to provide 1 Nm3/h of CO2 in a real industrial environment.
Regarding SOEC developments, the cells testing showed remarkable specific consumption of 2.6 kWh/Nm3 H2, at 15 bar, exceeding the predefined project KPI. Cells and stacks long-term (2200 hrs) and dynamic testing were conducted, showing promising results. Finally, a complete electrolyser unit was built and validated, successfully reaching 1Nm3/hrs H2 production at 40 bar.
Regarding DME production, new generation membranes were tested in a lab-scale reactor, successfully proving the higher performance of membrane reactor compared to the classical packed-bed reactor. All carbon membranes have been prepared and characterized for the TRL 6 DME production pilot, which construction is well-advanced.
The initial goal of C2FUEL was to produce an integrated demonstration composed of the 3 technologies described above: CO2 capture, H2 production by electrolysis and DME production. This could not be achieved in the time and budget framework of C2FUEL, however, all the assessment to implement such a pilot with multiple risks and constrains in a complex industrial environment has been realised. Moreover, the unitary bricks were rigorously designed and constructed according to requirements of such conditions. It provided tremendous amount of know-how on the technical aspects, but also on both safety and regulatory aspects. Finally, individual models were developed for each of the unitary bricks and a complete unified model infrastructure was implemented.
Regarding FA production, from the hydrogenation side, catalytic performances were significantly lower than expected. However, tremendous efforts have been developed to better understand the results. Series of catalysts have been tested, different experimental apparatus dedicated to FA production and kinetics study have been built and tested. For CO2 electro-reduction to FA, new electrolytic cells were designed and constructed to overcome the limiting CO2 diffusion problem.
To cover, the whole CCU value chain, C2FUEL project has also included technological innovation regarding the two final products addressed. The DME combustion tests (200 hours on a dedicated test bench) have demonstrated the feasibility of using DME on a diesel-adapted engine with competitive efficiency and promising emissions results. This also gave precious inputs on the particular focus needed on chemical inertness of the engine pieces toward DME.
Finally, the project designed, built and then proved the technical feasibility of a FA-to-Power genset for the first time, in outdoor conditions. This first prototype and the valuable know-how obtained through its development allowed the construction and validation of a new genset in another project with a net output power of 25 kW.
