REFORM

Renewable hydrogen production and storage via biotechnological interconversion of carbon dioxide and formic acid

Project team: Io Antonopoulou (project leader), Eleftheria Sapountzaki

Partners: Joakim Lundgren, Energy Engineering group, LTU

Duration: 2022-2027

Project link: https://www.ltu.se/forskning/centrumbildningar-och-samarbeten/centre-for-hydrogen-energy-systems-sweden/forskningsprojekt/forskningsprojekt/2023-10-13-fornybar-produktion-och-lagring-av-vatgas-med-hjalp-av-bioteknik

Funded by the Center for Hydrogen Energy Systems Sweden (CH2ESS)

Hydrogen (H2) deployment has been identified as one of the main strategies for becoming climate neutral. Although H2 is a clean energy carrier, its low energy density and flammability requires the development of advanced systems that offer safe storage, transportation and higher energy density. This project aims to develop a sustainable and efficient CO2 to formic acid cycle for the production and storage of renewable H2 based on biotechnology. The novelty of this project lies in overcoming the recovery difficulties, low H2 selectivity and harsh conditions of conventional catalysis methods, employing highly specific immobilized biocatalysts based on enzymes and microorganisms. We expect that the process energy costs will be significantly reduced compared to water electrolysis, as enzymes reduce the free energy required for converting electricity to a product. System analysis will be employed to integrate the novel process cycle with the HYBRIT process and highlight its economic and environmental benefits.