CO2Fokus (DIT.AD002.124)

Thematic area

Engineering, ICT and technologies for energy and transportation

Project area

Structure responsible for the research project

Institute for advanced energy technologies "Nicola Giordano" (ITAE)

Project manager

GIUSEPPE BONURA
Phone number: 090-624205
Email: bonura@itae.cnr.it

Abstract

The CO2Fokus project aims to realise the full potential of a number of concrete strategies to exploit the direct use of CO2 for the production of dimethyl ether (DME) by CO2 hydrogenation. The project will explore energy-efficient processes for two separate, potentially integrated systems, namely a 3D printed multichannel reactor and a solid oxide fuel cell (for co-electrolysis and electrolysis/reverse operation). Both systems will be evaluated for operational flexibility in an industrial environment with a CO2 emission point source. H2, as a renewable energy source, will be supplied via the solid oxide cell operating in electrolysis mode. To this end, the catalyst will be printed and assembled as multi-channel arrays into modular, mobile prototype demonstration units. To enhance the effectiveness of the partners' innovation efforts and reach ambitious commercial goals, CO2Fokus draws on expertise from partners across the industrial value chain, from industrial CO2 emitters, experts in catalyst manufacturing, petrochemical process engineering, chemistry and fuel cell specialists, offering a wealth of inter-disciplinary and market-oriented experience.

Goals

- Testing in PFR conditions of modular and scalable powdered and multi-channel hybrid catalysts for the synthesis of DME via CO2 hydrogenation.
- Definition of the best experimental conditions.
- Individuation of the best catalytic formulation for scale-up beyond the lab scale.
- Evaluation of catalyst lifetime under differential conditions.

Start date of activity

01/07/2019

Keywords

CO2 utilisation, Dimethyl ether, 3D printed reactors

Last update: 25/08/2025