Figure 1: Scheme of the Power-to-X concept using CO₂ from air, renewable electricity and water as starting material.

Background

For a climate-neutral Germany in 2050, the transport, industry and heating sectors need low-emission solutions. The Kopernikus-Project P2X¹ adresses one oft he most promising concept in development: Power-to-X. The Power-to-X technology should enable the efficient conversion of renewable electricity in other forms of energy that are easier to store such as chemical energy, i. e. fuels.

At KIT's Energy Lab 2.0² the process chain for the efficient production of CO₂-neutral fuels from electricity and CO₂ from the air will be examined and validated within the framework of the second phase of the Kopernikus project. The process chain (Fig. 1) is composed of:

• CO₂ extraction from ambient air via Direct Air Capture (DAC)
• Simultaneous high temperature electrolysis of H₂O and CO₂ (co-SOEC)
• Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in microstructured reactors
• Processing of the FT product for the production of standard fuels
• The processing of the FT product, which will take place in microstructured reactors by hydrocracking and isomerization, is led by IMVT.

During this second phase of the project the modeling of each process steps and the simulation of the integrated process chain will be performed using Aspen Plus^®, aiming to optimise the global efficiency.

Topic and tasks of the thesis

In this master thesis, models for hydrocracking and isomerization processes will be developed using both experimental and bibliographic data.

Afterwards the models will be implemented in Aspen Plus^® for modeling and optimization of the integrated process.

The developed models will be subsequently implemented in Aspen Plus^®. The influence of processes‘ operating parameters on the final product distribution and overall efficency will be studied and optimised.  

The thesis can be written in English or German.

Framework conditions

This job offer is addressed to students in the field of process engineering / chemical engineering.

Basic knowledge in process modeling is required. Experience with Aspen and Matlab is desired.

The results will be presented within the institute seminar and the Kopernikus project meetings. Willingness to join in experimental campaigns is required.

Starting date:   As of now                                           

Examiner:         Prof. Dr.-Ing. Roland Dittmeyer

Supervisor:       Dr. Gaël Corre

Contact:            gael.corre∂kit.edu

References:

1. Kopernikus-Projekte: P2X (kopernikus-projekte.de)

2. Energy Lab 2.0 - Startseite (kit.edu)