ALCHEMHY is developing and validating four innovative technologies that support the shift towards sustainable chemical manufacturing. By focusing on electrified production routes powered by green hydrogen, the project targets the decarbonisation of ammonia and methanol synthesis—two essential chemicals with traditionally high environmental impact. Each technology addresses specific industrial challenges, offering flexible, efficient and scalable solutions that align with the EU’s climate neutrality objectives.
Magnetic-Heated Sorption-Enhanced Reactor (MSER)
The MSER technology revolutionises ammonia synthesis by employing an innovative sorption-enhanced process activated though magnetic induction heating. This method reduces energy requirements, enabling operation at lower temperatures and pressure compared to conventional Haber-Bosch systems. Key features included increased energy efficiency, flexibility in operation regarding hydrogen availability. This advanced reactor design ensures faster ramp-up times and enhanced process stability, contributing to a more efficient and sustainable production pathway for green ammonia.
Direct ElectroSynthesis of Ammonia (DESA)
The Direct ElectroSynthesis of Ammonia (DESA) technology, jointly developed by UA and CIIAE, is conceived as an innovative route for small-scale, distributed production of green ammonia. The process utilizes hydrogen, a nitrogen source, and electricity to produce ammonia efficiently in a single step, with a solid electrolyte cell as the core element. In ALCHEMHY, an intermediate-temperature electrochemical approach will be implemented for this purpose. Unlike conventional solid oxide cells (SOCs) that are based on oxygen-ion conducting ceramics, this technology will rely on proton-conducting ceramics and should enable efficient operation below 550 °C. The main challenge lies in achieving high selectivity for ammonia formation. By the end of the project, the targeted outcomes include an overall efficiency exceeding 60%, high thermal/redox tolerance, and the use of cost-effective, non-platinum group catalysts, advancing the technology to TRL 5/6.
Small-Flexible Methanol Reactor (SFMR)
The SFMR technology offers a compact and highly adaptable solution for methanol synthesis. Operating at relatively low temperatures and pressures, it achieves remarkable energy efficiency and flexibility, making it suitable for fluctuating renewable energy supply. Key innovations include thermal energy storage for process optimisation, rapid response times to varying conditions, and a modular design that supports scalability. These features make SFMR a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable pathway for methanol production.
Plasma-Catalytic Hydrogenation (PCH)
The PCH technology developed by UANTWERPEN is designed to convert CO2 into methanol (MeOH) using a dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) plasma reactor with a water-cooled electrode. This unique setup enables MeOH synthesis at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, significantly reducing energy requirements compared to conventional methods. By integrating catalysts into the reactor, MeOH selectivity is enhanced MeOH, while maintaining flexibility to handle varying feed gas compositions, including impurities such as N2 and H2O. The technology addresses some key challenges in CO2 utilisation by enabling reactor integration to fluctuating renewable energy supplies and offering a low-cost and fully electrified solution for sustainable chemical production. At lab scale, the PCH reactor has achieved a 7% MeOH yield with an energy consumption of 20 MJ/mol. By the end of the project, the goal is to scale up to a prototype reactor capable of achieving a 15% MeOH yield with a 50% improvement in energy efficiency, advancing its readiness to TRL 6.
Each of these technologies represents a critical step towards decarbonising the chemical industry. As ALCHEMHY progresses, these solutions will be validated at pilot scale, demonstrating the feasibility of green hydrogen-driven chemical production and laying the groundwork for scalable industrial adoption.
Stay tuned for more insights, updates and progress from the project!