Vodcomm for electrification in chemical industry

Vodcomm for electrification in chemical industry

Efficient conversion of raw materials with sustainable energy: This is the whole content of the shared innovation project voltachem, an industrial, government and TNO initiative. In addition to using renewable energy to produce industrial heat and green hydrogen, research partners are also focused on producing higher production and less waste chemical components: power-2-chemicals.

The international chemical industry has a large carbon dioxide emission, but it also produces many useful products. Industrial electrification is one of the solutions to realize carbon dioxide neutral industry, especially in the production of fuel, bioplastics and fertilizer.

This energy has also become cheaper and cheaper due to the huge growth of sustainable energy, a special opportunity to link the application of such energy (usually electricity) with the challenges facing the chemical industry.

Building blocks from renewable raw materials

Under the name power-2-specialties, we use electrochemistry to produce high-quality chemical blocks from renewable biological materials. Because traditional chemistry is based on cheaper fossil materials and fuels, such as oil and gas, it has so far overcome more innovative technologies.

However, recently, advanced electrochemical technology has made it possible to run a process faster and more effectively. Coupled with the need for carbon dioxide neutralization, as well as the use of renewable raw materials and energy, this constitutes an interesting business case. Electrochemistry is particularly valuable in this regard, because it leads to a very pure product that does not require additional energy intensive separation steps after the reaction.

Syngas and formic acid in carbon dioxide

Through the power-2-commodities research line, we focus on direct electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide, focusing on the products of synthetic gas and formic acid. Unlike biological materials, carbon dioxide enters the reactor.

Our in-depth knowledge in electrochemistry, separation technology, process technology, scale expansion and technical and economic analysis provides business support for those enterprises who want to realize carbon dioxide conversion on a large scale. Among other things, we have identified what is required to implement the process under existing specifications, the costs involved and the equipment needed to expand the technology scale.

Pair Electrosynthesis

In paired electrosynthesis, the conversion occurs on both sides of the electrochemical reactor: anode and cathode. In voltachem, we develop processes that combine various chemical reactions to achieve the desired product.

Because the valuable products are produced on both sides, the commercial cases of electrochemical production system have been greatly improved. Examples of this include the conversion of biomass on both sides or the conversion of one side of biomass and the conversion of carbon dioxide on the other side.

POWER-2-INTEGRATE

What are the impacts of industrial electrification, international market and technology development on chemical industry cluster, technology selection and business environment? The market and technology are so fast that you should be constantly involved. We use models to clearly identify the international flow of raw materials and energy, as well as the market demand for chemical products and opportunities for new technologies.

For example, we developed an international system model to test business cases and regulations in the context of power-2-x (Industrial electrification), as well as a bottom-up model that includes scenarios for computing raw materials, electricity, product requirements, and business case pricing.

Want to know more or participate in it?

Do you want to convert a raw material into a specific product by electrochemical method, and then further develop it into a test product and implement it? We are happy to work with you with our knowledge, experience and network to achieve faster production through electrochemical process.

This can be done in a variety of ways. The most feasible way is to be a member of the voltachem community, where companies can discuss the progress of projects and form new alliances and projects.

For example, we can also establish a shared research project, a bilateral project or a joint financing project. We will be very pleased to discuss with you your wishes and possibilities.