Dresden 2011 – scientific programme

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AKE: Arbeitskreis Energie

AKE 5: Mobilität

AKE 5.4: Invited Talk

Monday, March 14, 2011, 17:45–18:15, MENSA Dül

Production and conversion of liquid fuels and hydrogen from biomass and natural gas using micro-reactor technology — •Peter Pfeifer — Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT), Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT), Herrmann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, www.imvt.kit.edu

The Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT) develops micro-structured devices since 1989 and is thus one of the pioneers in this field. One focus of current research is on the integration of catalysts into these reactors as this is significantly influencing the overall system performance. The methods are ranging from filling micro-structured elements with catalyst powder to new approaches of nano-structured catalyst layers on the micro channel walls. Current projects are addressing the field of conversion of synthesis gas from biomass feedstock and off-shore natural gas; processes are methanol synthesis, direct di-methyl ether synthesis, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis and high temperature / high pressure shift reaction. The latter reaction may be necessary for the biomass conversion into fuels since dry gasification yields an insufficient H2/CO ratio in the synthesis gas. The unusual temperature and pressure conditions applied in the IMVT concept reduce the net energy loss. Furthermore, most micro-reactor studies in literature refer to keeping the reaction temperature constant and thus enabling isothermal operation conditions. However, for synthesis, i.e. exothermic equilibrium reactions, a falling temperature profile should be applied. Heat management concepts for micro-reactors are therefore important for further developments.