DELTA

DELTA: Development of a tubular
steam-electrolyser with an
integrated hydrocarbon synthesis

Project manager:	Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Antonio Hurtado Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Wolfgang Lippmann
Contributors:	Felix Schwabe, M.Sc. Dipl.-Ing. Louisa Schwarze Torge Stührmann, M.Sc. Fabian Morgenstern
Duration:	09/2016 – 12/2020
Funding:	European Union (EFRE) and the Free State of Saxony
Funding code:	100240618
Cooperations:	Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf – Institut für Fluiddynamik (HZDR) Technische Universität Dresden – Professur für Technische Thermodynamik (TUD-TTD) Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg – Institut für Technische Chemie (TUBAF-ITC) Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg – Institut für Keramik, Glas- und Baustofftechnik (TUBAF-IKGB) Fraunhofer-Institut für Keramische Technologien und Systeme (IKTS)
Joint project coordination:	Technische Universität Dresden - Chair of Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy

Brief description

With the efforts to de-fossilise the energy supply system, the expansion of the use of wind and solar energy is increasing in Germany. As a result, technologies for spatial and temporal decoupling between energy supply and use are needed. This requires the integration of short-, medium- and long-term energy storage capacities into the energy supply system and the expansion of energy transport capacities. The conversion of electrical energy into chemical energy appears to be a promising approach. Hydrocarbons as energy sources are difficult to replace in many areas due to their high energy density - in the transport sector as well as for transporting large amounts of energy in pipelines. The priority use of hydrogen as an energy carrier (hydrogen economy) appears unfavourable due to the high initial investments for the conversion of the energy infrastructure based on hydrocarbons as well as the low volumetric energy storage density of hydrogen.

For these reasons, the DELTA joint project focuses on the synthesis of methanol or higher liquid hydrocarbons based on electricity, water and carbon dioxide. Water and volatile electrical energy are used in a proton-conducting high-temperature electrolyser to provide pure hydrogen on the synthesis side. This is converted by a heterogeneous catalysed synthesis into methanol without the need for additional gas treatment stages or intermediate storage. The usage can be carried out across sectors.

In order to demonstrate the innovative energy conversion process, an integral pilot plant will be set up at the Chair of Hydrogen and Nuclear Energy. For this purpose, a highly flexible reaction vessel will be designed thermodynamically and constructively. This essentially comprises an electrolysis cell and a synthesis unit, the optimum operation of which must be ensured by supporting components such as internal heat exchangers or pressure control devices. In order to connect the metallic and ceramic components, in particular the novel tubular electrolysis cell, new joining methods are developed and tested in the high-performance laser laboratory. In addition, the extent to which laser-based structuring of functional surfaces can optimize reaction control must be examined. With the testing of the demonstrator, a functional proof is provided for the first time both for the provision of high-purity hydrogen with the help of the innovative proton-conducting electrolysis cell and for an integrated power-to-methanol process. Finally, an economic study of the pilot plant is to be carried out, which is the only one of its kind worldwide.