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Mineral Treatment

CemSol

Development of a calcium looping (CaL) process coupled with cement production

Duration: 01.10.2021 – 30.09.2024

In the CemSol project, researchers are investigating how a solar thermal plant can supply the high-temperature heat for the calcination of calcium carbonate, an energy-intensive sub-step in the production of cement. The project aims to show that a solar-heated calcination unit is technically feasible on an industrial scale and can be operated economically. By using solar thermal energy instead of fossil fuels, large amounts of CO2 emissions can be avoided.

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Synthetic fuels

SolarFuels

Synthetic Fuels from Sun Light
Duration: 1.8.2021 – 28.2.2025

The solar reforming of biogas or natural gas – with methane (CH₄) as the main component – offers the opportunity of producing synthesis gas in a climate-friendly way using water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂), while chemically storing fluctuating solar energy. The synthesis gas consists of hydrogen (H₂) and carbon monoxide (CO) and can be converted into synthetic crude oil in a Fischer-Tropsch unit, which in turn can be processed into liquid fuels such as kerosene in industrially established processes. These solar, synthetic fuels are an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional, fossil-based fuels and can make an important contribution to reducing climate-impacting emissions, particularly in aviation and heavy goods traffic.

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SOL

Efficient production of green hydrogen through solar heat-assisted solid oxide cell electrolysis
Duration: 01.01.2020 – 31.12.2022

In the SOL research project, researchers from the DLR Institutes of Future Fuels and of Engineering Thermodynamics are investigating the coupling of concentrated sunlight with a solid oxide electrolysis cell (SOEC). The resulting new process is so interesting because it could produce green hydrogen or synthesis gas with the highest efficiencies on a multi-megawatt scale. Especially for industries with high CO₂ emissions, such as the fuel, steel and cement industries, the process could be an interesting option to reduce CO₂ emissions.

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H2Loop

Controlling a field of heliostats for a multi-chamber reactor for solar hydrogen production
Duration: 01.10.2018 - 31.07.2022

In the H2Loop project, researchers from the DLR Institutes of Solar Research and from the Institute of Future Fuels are developing a novel control concept for the mirror field of a solar thermal tower power plant. Operating a multi-chamber reactor with concentrated solar radiation presents the researchers with the challenge of aligning the mirrors so that they irradiate each individual chamber of the reactor with the same intensity. The new control system is designed to precisely and intelligently regulate the process temperature of a solar-chemical multi-chamber reactor in an automated manner.

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SPOTLIGHT

With solar irradiated catalysts (faster) to synthetic energy sources

Duration: 01.01.2021 – 31.12.2023

The chemical compounds methane (CH₄) and methanol (CH₄O) can be used as fuels and as a source of energy, or they can serve as basic materials for the chemical industry. Since they are compatible with the existing energy infrastructure, they are particularly well suited to replacing fossil fuels in the areas mentioned. In the EU project SPOTLIGHT, researchers from DLR's Institute of Future Fuels are working with scientists from 12 other European research institutes on a process for producing methane and carbon monoxide (CO), a starting product of methanol, from green hydrogen (H₂), carbon dioxide (CO₂) and concentrated sunlight. In addition, the consortium is also investigating the incorporation of artificial light to allow the process to operate continuously.

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SolarFuelNow

Efficient Control of Solar Fuel Production by DNI Nowcasts

Duration: 01.09.2020 - 31.08.2023

Solar chemical processes have special requirements for the heliostat field control, especially when the heat demand varies over time, e.g. in processes for hydrogen or synthesis gas production. In the SolarFuelNow project, a multi-variable model predictive control for a multi-reactor system is being developed, which incorporates data from an improved cloud prediction system. This control will be demonstrated at the Multifocus Tower in Juelich.

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Metal oxide cycles

HESTHY

Improvement and testing of particle-based solar reactor systems for thermochemical hydrogen, synthesis gas and ammonia production

Duration: April 2020 – July 2023

Together with our US partner Sandia National Laboratories, we are improving a system consisting of two solar vacuum particle receivers in which the first of two process steps for thermochemical hydrogen production is carried out with redox cycle processes. The particle receivers are to be operated at two different vacuum pressures and the pressure separation between them is to be realised via a moving particle bed. An improved receiver design should enable more stable and efficient operation. The system will be set up and tested at DLR's Synlight in Jülich.

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HOTPORT

Particles in high temperature solar applications

Duration: 01.06.2019 - 31.12.2022

In the HOTPORT project, processes and components are developed and tested to enable the use of particles as a heat transfer medium or reaction partner in the field of concentrating solar technology. This is about the transport and flow control of particles with little heat loss at temperatures above 1000 ° C. For this purpose, the use of innovative materials is investigated, among other things.

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Solar production of ammonium hydroxide and fertilisers

	SESAM Synergy effects in the solar production of ammonia and fertilizers Duration: 01.12.2019 - 31.03.2023 In the SESAM project, the process of solar fertilizer production is to be examined for the first time as a whole up to the finished fertilizer product.
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CemSol

SolarFuels

SOL

H2Loop

SPOTLIGHT

SolarFuelNow

HESTHY

HOTPORT

SESAM