The Bio-P2G-program (Bio-Power to Gas) at the Hanze University of AppliedSciences evaluates the technologic feasibility of the biological reduction of carbondioxide with hydrogen to methane (biomethanation: 1 CO2 + 4 H2 -> CH4 + 2 H2O)Chemically, this process is known as the Sabatier reaction, but within anaerobicdigestion the biological methanation is catalyzed by a specific group ofmicroorganisms: the hydrogenotrophic methanogens.
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the final waste product for all carbon-containing products. Its reuse will partly mitigate climate change and, in addition, provide a valuable feedstock for fuels and chemicals. Zuyd University of Applied Sciences (ZUYD), Innosyn B.V., and Chemtrix B.V. will develop a flow reactor for photochemical reactions with gases conducted at high pressure. This reactor is the necessary first development towards artificial photosynthesis: the connection of hydrogen (H2) to the ultimate waste product CO2 to store energy in a chemical bond, in order to produce so-called solar fuels and C1-chemicals/products. With an increasing amount of renewables in the energy system, energy storage becomes increasingly important to continuously match supply and demand. In a cooperation between three ZUYD research groups with Chemtrix B.V. and Innosyn B.V., multiple cost-efficient reactor designs for this flow reactor will be analyzed and two designs will be selected to be implemented by small extensions of existing equipment. Simultaneously, two appropriate test re-actions involving a gas (E-Z isomerization followed by hydrogenation) and with a CO2 analogue (a hydrogenation of a carboxylic acid) will be developed to be conducted in the reactor when the con-struction has been finished. We aim to disseminate the new capabilities developed in this KIEM proposal by the project partners with respect to the new reactors to several selected stakeholders. Furthermore, to expand the project several options (SIA-RAAK and H2020 grants) will be explored.