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The secret of future hydrogen: How does the MACBETH project change the way hydrogen is produced?
As the world pays attention to sustainable development and green energy, hydrogen, as a part of clean energy, is gradually becoming the focus. The MACBETH project (Membranes And Catalysts Beyond Economic and Technological Hurdles) aims to advance hydrogen production technology, especially changing the way hydrogen is produced through advanced membrane reactor technology. The EU-funded project, launched in 2019 and expected to end in 2024, covers a number of important chemical processes, among which the production of hydrogen is particularly critical.
Project Overview
The MACBETH project consists of 27 partners from universities, companies and research institutions. The total project cost is estimated to be approximately 20.5 million euros, 80% of which is funded by the European Union. The main objectives of the project are to validate the membrane reactor technology for industrial applications through a long-term operational demonstration plant and to explore its potential in biotechnologies, for example in the selective enzymatic enrichment of Omega-3 fatty acids.
"Combining the catalytic synthesis step and the separation step in a single reactor is the core concept of this project."
Hydrogen production process
The hydrogen production of the MACBETH project is mainly carried out through steam reforming reaction, with the purpose of producing high-purity hydrogen to supply various hydrogenation reactions, fuel cells and other industries that require hydrogen. The plan will explore two main hydrogen production routes:
- Utilizing steam reforming of natural gas, this process is planned to be carried out using a fluidized bed membrane reactor.
- By autothermal reforming of biogas, this process will also be carried out in a specially designed fluidized bed membrane reactor.
"In both paths, the membrane of precious metal palladium can effectively reduce the operating temperature of the reactor, thereby reducing capital and operating costs."
Scientific achievements
To date, academic articles have been published on hydrogen production in membrane reactors, focusing mainly on the development of metal-supported dense membranes and the modeling of fluidized bed membrane reactors. Two reactors are currently under construction and are expected to be operational in 2024.
Propylene production process
Propylene is an important raw material for various chemicals, and its production process usually involves steam cracking and fluid catalytic cracking. In MACBETH, propylene production will occur through propane dehydrogenation. The characteristic of this reaction is that it can use a palladium-based membrane to remove hydrogen molecules, thereby reducing the reactor temperature while increasing propylene production and effectively slowing down the problem of coke formation.
"In the study of propane dehydrogenation, we introduced a new platinum-based catalyst, which can significantly improve the selectivity of propylene."
Carbonylation reaction
Carbonylation reactions are very important in the chemical industry and are mainly used to produce specialty chemicals as intermediates for detergents and plasticizers. In MACBETH, the reaction is carried out using an innovative catalytic membrane reactor and employs polymer membrane-coated monomers for the reaction.
"We have also achieved some results in the carbonylation process and have published articles on the carbonylation of 1-butene."
Biocatalytic oil cracking
The purpose of this process is to enrich Omega-3 fatty acids, specifically EPA and DHA, from plant or fish oils. Through the application of selective lipase, Project MACBETH can selectively remove short-chain acids, thereby retaining EPA and DHA.
"Long-term reactor trials have demonstrated the feasibility of this process and identified operating conditions that ensure long enzyme life."
MODELTA: a spin-off company of MACBETH
Membrane technology and membrane reactors have huge application potential in the energy, chemical and food industries. In order to bridge the gap between universities and industry, MACBETH partners established a spin-off company called MODELTA B.V. in 2022 to provide consulting and modeling services in membranes and membrane reactors.
Through the MACBETH project, hydrogen production will usher in a new technological transformation. How will this technology affect our use and understanding of renewable energy in the future?
