Path 3 - Electrification & Radical Process Transformation

path3

Path 3 - Electrification & Radical Process Transformation

Program Details

The Flemish industry is enormously energy-intensive. This means its industrial production processes require vast volumes of energy in the form of heat and electricity, still provided by a significant share of fossil fuels like oil and gas (or coal). In addition, some sectors also use fossil fuels as non-renewable raw materials. By using fossil fuels in their processes as feedstock and an energy source, the Flemish industry releases relatively large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. The Moonshot initiative aims to reduce this type of CO2 emissions. The third Moonshot research Path, Electrification and Radical Process Transformation (Path 3), specifically supports research into future-proof carbon-smart processes.

Preparing current industrial processes for a carbon-smart future requires electrification (i.e. switching from fossil-based to electricity-based processes), low-energy separation processes and mild biotechnological conversions. There is also a need for innovation in the conversion of electricity to heat, which is much more efficient than the current traditional conversion via resistance. All of these process innovations can close the price gap between electricity and fossil-based fuels, radically reduce the need for such fuels and subsequently cut CO2 emissions. Carbon emitted as CO2 during these production processes can also be captured, fed back into the process as a resource, or temporarily stored through so-called Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS). This way, electrification and process transformation is a crucial Pathway to make the Flemish industry carbon circular and low in CO2 by 2050.

There is a high-cost barrier associated with capturing CO2. Therefore, the challenge is to capture CO2 efficiently and subsequently convert it in an integrated way into usable raw materials (such as monomers for plastics), or to store it. Furthermore, carbon-free hydrogen is essential for the aforementioned conversions. At the same time, it offers opportunities for the sustainable production of ammonia from nitrogen gas and carbon-free hydrogen. Currently, the ammonia production process is characterized by significant CO2 emissions as it uses nitrogen gas, water vapor and carbon monoxide. Hydrogen and ammonia can also act as an energy carrier in the transport and storage of energy. Take into account the energy impact of your innovation both on system and process level, considering quantity, flexibility and availability. Below is a list indicating specific research areas of interest and points of attention. This list is not exhaustive.

Specific research areas of interest and attention points

  • Cost-effective carbon capture technology for diluted point sources (e.g. flue gasses).

  • Avoidance of CO2 emissions should be prioritized, including consideration of other substantially improved processes. In terms of unit operations, intensified separation technology—especially optimizing energy input—is crucial. Transitioning from batch to continuous processes or increasing operational flexibility is also of interest, provided these changes contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. Conversion of CO2 and partial oxidation (Freed up extra fuel gas will have to be put to use) by means of electrochemical or photochemical techniques (these will be needed for defossilization, along with cheap, renewable energy). However, the use of conventional technologies can still be considered for partial oxidation.

  • Plasma technology (non-thermal): conversion of CO2 and other feedstock (e.g. biomass).

  • Electrification of the chemical industry (inductive heating, etc.) to avoid Scope 1 emissions. Focus on high-temperature processes (e.g., replacing natural gas heating with electrification). 

  • Carbon Dioxide Removal technologies (i.e. DAC and other technologies that lead to permanent storage).

Goals and KPIs

The third Moonshot research Path, focusing on electrification and radical process transformation, aims to achieve:

  1. 60% reduction in ‘CO2 emission/ton produced’ by the (petro)chemical industry (main contribution to be expected from electrification of steam cracking and ammonia production, replacement of distillation by membrane processes, substitution of the traditional chemical processes by biotechnology), for which at least 1 technology will be developed to TRL 6 by 2035.

  2. Economically profitable CO2 capture & purification, both capture from point sources (originating from chemistry, steel and energy production) and Direct Air Capture. For point source capture at least 2 technologies will be developed up to TRL 8 by 2030 and for direct air capture at least 2 technologies should be developed up to TRL 6.

  3. Economically profitable conversions of captured CO2 as a raw material for the Flemish industry. The most important contribution can be expected from the conversion of CO2 to CO, MeOH and DME; and the subsequent conversion of C1 feedstock into added-value products. At least 2 technologies will be developed up to TRL 6 by 2030.

  4. Cost-efficient (< €2.000/ton) hydrogen production (either remote or in-situ), characterized by low CO2 emissions. At least 1 technology is to reach TRL 6 by 2030.

These goals have to be met within the following precondition:

  • CO2 capture and purification is economically viable for capture at point sources at €50/ton and for Direct Air Capture at €100/ton.

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