In brief
ECO2Syn is developing and demonstrating a highly efficient process that combines direct air capture with co-electrolysis to provide climate-neutral synthesis gas for the chemical industry. The project scales the technology up to an industry-scale demonstration level, optimises the pressure operation of the core components and assesses their economic and environmental potential for sustainable, resource-efficient chemical and fuel production.
What we are working on
Motivation
A future greenhouse gas-neutral chemical industry requires a sustainable supply of feedstocks for synthesis. A promising approach to climate-neutral synthesis gas production is direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 followed by simultaneous H2O and CO2 electrolysis (co-electrolysis). The process is characterised by the highest efficiencies in the field of electricity-based synthesis gas production, as well as virtually unlimited potential compared to process routes involving carbon recycling or biogenic sources. The synthesis gas produced can serve as a feedstock for the manufacture of key basic chemicals and climate-neutral fuels.
Innovative approach
The ECO2Syn research project addresses this and aims to further develop and scale up this process. In addition to experimental R&D work at various scales, up to the demonstration scale, accompanying techno-economic and environmental assessments are being carried out. The aim is to systematically demonstrate the potential of this combination of technologies compared with alternative routes for producing synthesis gas. The focus is particularly on the energy efficiency, economic viability, scalability and sustainability of the overall process.
Implementation and added value
The project will demonstrate the integration of the two key technologies, DAC and co-electrolysis. Furthermore, it will investigate how operation at elevated pressure can improve process performance. The findings will be used to reliably scale up the overall process and to evaluate it in terms of costs, life-cycle emissions and industrial feasibility. ECO2Syn thus makes an important contribution to the transformation of the chemical industry and lays the foundations for the future industrial application of climate-neutral synthesis gas processes.
ECO₂Syn in figures
Chair of Energy Systems
The Chair of Energy Systems focuses on problems in energy engineering at the process and component levels and has expertise in areas including Power-to-X, reversible solid oxide cells, system studies and thermodynamic cycles. The Chair of Energy Systems coordinates the ECO2Syn project, is developing the co-electrolysis module for the demonstration, and is conducting the experimental investigations into co-electrolysis under pressure as well as the holistic process simulation.
Phlair is revolutionising the atmospheric capture of CO2 with its hydrolyser-based DAC technology. The system is based on a pH-swing mechanism for efficient CO2 uptake and release, thereby enabling the permanent storage of CO2 or its use in CO2-negative chemicals. Founded in 2022, the Munich-based start-up is already working with prominent clients in the field of negative emissions, such as Google, McKinsey, JPMorgan Chase, Shopify, Stripe, H&M and Deep Sky. Phlair is taking charge of the development work on the DAC process, in particular the development of a pressurised electrochemical desorber stack, as well as the operation of the DAC pilot plant to demonstrate coupled operation with co-electrolysis.
Associate Partner
Sunfire is one of the world’s leading companies in the field of hydrogen technology and develops high-performance electrolysis systems for the production of green hydrogen. Founded in Dresden, the company combines engineering expertise with large-scale industrial manufacturing to drive the transition to a climate-neutral energy system.
In the ECO2Syn project, Sunfire is providing the SOEC (Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell) stacks – the heart of the system – as well as technical support for their integration and operation. SOEC technology operates at high temperatures, enabling exceptionally high electrical efficiency and the utilization of industrial waste heat.
Through this contribution, Sunfire is bringing both state-of-the-art hardware and practical know-how to the development of the next generation of power-to-liquid systems.
