Power-to-Gas technology
Mirosław Szukiewicz, BEng, PhD, DSc, Assoc. Prof., from Rzeszów University of Technology, Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, Faculty of Chemistry, is researching new solutions related to the process of carbon dioxide hydrogenation to methane. The implementation of the process is important for the environment, as it reduces carbon dioxide emissions and at the same time provides an opportunity to obtain synthetic gas, which is important in the context of the energy crisis. The scientist and his team have developed an invention submitted to the Patent Office named “Method of conducting the carbon dioxide methanation process”. PGE is interested in the proposed solutions.
The process of carbon dioxide methanation, or the hydrogenation of CO2 to methane, also known as the Sabatier reaction, was described over 100 years ago by the French chemist Paul Sabatier (Nobel Prize winner in 1912). Today, it is one of the most promising processes because it simultaneously: provides a substitute for natural gas, reduces CO2 emissions into the atmosphere, and helps to balance the fluctuations of electricity from renewable energy sources (this is important for the stability of the electricity grid).
Carbon dioxide methanation process
It is easy to see that this process fits in with the environmental objectives adopted by the European Commission and the process of becoming independent from natural gas from Russia, as all the effects of this process are listed in numerous directives of the European Parliament and the Council as objectives to be pursued. The Council's position is shared by many European governments. Large-scale implementation of this process can contribute to improving environmental conditions and citizens' quality of life. The rather poor micro-economic performance of the technology in question stands in the way of dissemination. However, the current political situation prompting European countries to look for alternative sources of natural gas and the objectives set by the EC, in particular the climate neutrality objective, indicate that the process of carbon dioxide methanation has been recognised by both scientists and industry representatives, especially in the energy sector.
Numerous scientific papers are available in the literature describing all aspects of the process - mechanism, kinetics, thermodynamics, many types of catalysts, microeconomics, types of reactors used, etc. The economic projections presented in the papers indicate that, even if the Sabatier process continues to be unprofitable, one can still count on a steady increase in macroeconomic gains from solving the problems mentioned above (e.g. by avoiding charges for the purchase of CO2 emission allowances or the cost of power grid failures). A small improvement in the microeconomic effects of the process can therefore be very fruitful, especially as the projections show a steady increase in macroeconomic profits resulting from the resolution of the problems.
Power-to-Gas technology
Depending on the effect to be achieved during the process, Sabatier reaction research is being conducted in several, slightly different directions. Currently, the team is researching a way to make the hydrogenation of CO2 practical, i.e. a technology referred to as Power-to-Gas. The PtG process is used to convert surplus electricity into a valuable gas in a combined process: the electrolysis of water produces hydrogen, which in the next step reacts with carbon dioxide to produce methane. This second step requires the supply of CO2, e.g. from emission gases (and thus allows pollution by them to be reduced). The PtG concept offers the attractive prospect of reducing CO2 emissions on a large scale while using surplus energy from RES. Thus, a single process combines solutions to several problems - the removal of CO2 and the management of periodic electricity surpluses that threaten to destabilise countries' energy systems - and additionally provides a substitute for natural gas.
The Professor's team has been researching the application of the Sabatier reaction in practice for nearly four years and has been working on the PtG process. In addition to experimental studies, mathematical modelling is used. Based on the mathematical model of the process, the operating conditions of the reactor are determined (based on analysis of the results of computer simulation of the process). This approach allows for a significant reduction in the number of experimental studies, thus reducing the time to obtain results and costs.
Tangible results of the research conducted by the team include a doctoral thesis (defence expected this year) and a patent application. In addition to the Professor, the research team comprises of: Elżbieta Chmiel-Szukiewicz, BEng, PhD, Lech Zaręba, PhD, Radosław Rabczak, BEng, MSc, Adrian Szałek, BEng, MSc,, Andrzej Rzeszutko, BEng, MSc.
