Synthesis gas serves as educt for the production of different downstream-products, such as DME, synthetic fuel or synthetic natural gas. In mature processes, syngas is gained out of natural gas accompanied by high CO₂ emissions. Goal is to develop a more sustainable and climate-neutral synthesis gas generation by integration of electrolysis as one solution. The different processes are modelled, combined and analyzed using simulative tools.

Within the power-to-fuel project, an important milestone is already achieved. In a combined process, syngas is sustainably produced out of CO₂ captured from air, water and renewable energy in a high-temperature-co-electrolysis which is converted into synthetic fuels in further steps. A plant is realized in container size which should be upscaled based on simulation results.

Besides, further development of the PEM-electrolysis is focused in our work. Possible improvements of stack and overall system will be evaluated and an optimization for certain operating scenarios will be carried out.

The synthesis gas generation is directly linked to the product processing. Depending on the type of product (e.g. DME, synthetic fuel or synthetic natural gas) different synthesis gas ratios are necessary. For the required ratios, individual process designs are developed to increase the sustainability of product manufacturing.

The synthesis gas processing for the synthetic fuel production, developed within the P2X project, is carried out in a Fischer-Tropsch-reactor forming long-chain hydrocarbons which are converted into the desired product in the following. These and other process options for an integrated production of different downstream-products are simulated to optimally combine the different process steps and to reach higher production volumes.

Reducing greenhouse gases in the mobility sector is one of the most important challenges to stop climate change. Besides the battery technology, hydrogen fueled vehicles are in the focus of research and development. Especially for long-distance commercial vehicles the hydrogen fuel cell is an ideal solution. For this purpose, a highly efficient hydrogen tank is required. The storage of cryogenic compressed hydrogen gas (CcH2) is a promising storage technology and enables high storage densities.

Website: Research at APT
Contact: Johannes Hamacher

Development of a cryogas hydrogen storage system for use in long-distance commercial vehicles
The development and optimization of a cryogenic hydrogen tank system in application for trucks is the focus of the CryoTRUCK research project. The scientific work is to set up appro-priate thermodynamic models and simulation models for heat transfer and cold storage. Based on this, the processes of refueling and fuel withdrawal will be simulated dynamically. Experi-mental investigations on cold storage systems are also planned with the project partners. Both, the modelling and the experimental validation are the basic building blocks in order to integrate the CcH2 storage system into vehicles.

Website: APT CryoTRUCK
Contact: Johannes Hamacher, Alexander Stary