Project description
A new take on green energy carriers
The demand for green energy carriers is growing. The increasing supply of harvested solar and wind energy can be used to synthesise fuels such as hydrogen, syngas and ammonia, as well as clean water via electrochemical methods. However, current electrochemical methods are not considered market-leading technologies in the energy or water sector because of limitations in process intensification. The EnTER project will apply a multiscale approach to address these transport limitations. Its aim is to understand and enhance mass transport using novel concepts. It will study suspension electrodes. Gas bubbles will be controlled while synergistically disturbing the diffusion boundary layer via pressure swing control. Reactor engineering concepts will be used to mitigate macro-scale concentration gradients.
Objective
To meet the growing demand for green energy carriers and clean water for the next decades, we can use the increasing supply of harvested solar and wind energy to synthesize fuels (hydrogen, syngas, ammonia, etc.) and clean water via electrochemical methods. Electrochemical methods have the advantage of single-step, energy-efficient and low-temperature conversion of chemicals. However, despite developments in electrocatalysts and system design in the past decade, none of the electrochemical methods has grown to a market-leading technology in the energy or water sector because of limitations in process intensification. A boost in electrical current density, without sacrificing energy efficiency, is required to allow large-scale deployment.
This process intensification needs breaking three limitations in mass transport, at three different scales: 1) the diffusion boundary layer (microscale), 2) gas bubble interference (mm-scale) and 3) concentration gradients in the flow compartments bulk. This ERC project will use a multiscale approach to address these three mass transport limitations, and has the objective to understand and enhance mass transport using novel concepts. Diffusion limitations will be addressed via studying suspension electrodes, gas bubbles will be controlled while synergistically disturbing the diffusion boundary layer via pressure swing control, and reactor engineering concepts that are new to the field of electrochemistry are used to mitigate macro-scale concentration gradients. Water electrolysis, CO2 electrolysis and electrodialysis will be used as tool to evaluate these strategies, using fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) and micro particle image velocimetry (PIV) to observe the local environment at microscale within large-scale systems. This multiscale approach with in-situ measurements of local flow and concentrations will target the fundamental understanding and control of mass transport limitations for universal electrochemical conversion.
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.
-
H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
See all projects funded under this programme
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.
ERC-STG - Starting Grant
See all projects funded under this funding scheme
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) ERC-2019-STG
See all projects funded under this callHost institution
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.
2628 CN DELFT
Netherlands
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.