CO2 as a raw material: GKD participates in the “Air2Chem” research project

The “Air2Chem” research project has set itself the goal of converting CO2 from the air into valuable raw materials in an energy-efficient manner. Direct Air Capture (DAC), the technology used in this project, offers a way to remove the greenhouse gas CO2 directly from the atmosphere and make it usable for the production of chemicals such as ethylene. The research project is therefore an important building block in the decarbonization of industry.

The Fraunhofer Institute for Environmental, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT, CO2CirculAir B.V., RWTH Aachen University (Chair of Aachen Process Engineering and Chemical Process Engineering), FXC Engineering GmbH and GKD are jointly developing an integrated “Direct Air Carbon Capture and Utilization (DACCU)” process in this project. This process combines natural wind-driven DAC technology with electrolytic conversion of the carbonate-containing absorber solution into platform chemicals such as carbon monoxide and ethylene for the chemical industry.

Direct Air Capture and electrolytic conversion

As part of Air2Chem, DAC technology is combined with an electrolysis process. This not only isolates the captured CO2, but also converts it into basic chemical substances such as carbon monoxide or ethylene. In previous DAC processes, the energy-intensive step of CO2 desorption was unavoidable in order to regenerate the absorbent. In the Air2Chem research project, a liquid is used for absorption, which is fed into the electrolysis process. As a result, the CO2 is removed from the liquid and converted into basic chemicals.

Innovative electrode structures from GKD

GKD plays a central role in the Air2Chem project in the development of electrode structures that are used in the carbonate electrolysis process. These specially developed wire meshes are characterized by high conductivity and stability, which enables a more efficient conversion of CO2. Thanks to GKD’s optimized mesh structures, the yield of important raw materials such as ethylene is increased.

Optimized mesh for the industry

In the development and production of special meshes, GKD relies on simulation-based optimization processes to further improve the material properties and geometry of its wire meshes. These advanced technologies not only contribute to increasing efficiency in the Air2Chem project, but also offer great potential for other industrial applications. In particular, these mesh structures could play a decisive role in hydrogen production and other CO2 reduction processes.

Sustainable solutions for the future

The Air2Chem project aims to develop a sustainable platform technology that can be used as an additional solution in the chemical industry in the future. GKD’s expertise in the development and optimization of electrode materials will create the basis for enabling energy-efficient and environmentally friendly production processes. The project thus makes an important contribution to the decarbonization and transformation of the industry.

Funding reference

The project “Air2Chem: Paired electrosynthesis of basic and valuable chemicals by naturally wind-driven direct CO2 capture from air using membrane gas absorption and carbonate electrolysis” is funded as part of the “Energie.IN.NRW” innovation competition. This competition is part of the European regional funding (ERDF/JTF program NRW 2021-2027) and is led by the state government of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Further information can be found on the Direct Air Capture (DAC) page.