EPOCH

Hydrogen (H2) is indispensable in our daily life and expected to be clean energy source as well. However, current production relays on steam reforming which emits significant amount of carbon dioxide as by-product.

Funded by the European Innovation Council, the EPOCH (Electrocatalytic Production of liquid Organic hydrogen carrier and CHemicals from lignin) aims to develop an electrolysis system for producing hydrogen with maximum energy efficiency and store it as safe chemicals at the same time, thereby enables handle it under ambient conditions without needs of stainless tank. While producing hydrogen at one electrode, it converts waste biomass such as lignin to value chemicals at the other electrode, simultaneously. The project brings sustainable hydrogen technology through utilizing renewable electricity.

Om EPOCH

EPOCH proposes to develop a novel approach in linking green hydrogen production with the direct loading of liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) enabling a transformative logistic of green hydrogen distribution and storage. Lignin derivatives are used to be selectively oxidized. Compared to water electrolysis, EPOCH will advance the field by:

1. Using the nascent hydrogen at the cathode directly to load LOHCs allowing economic H2 storage and transport.
2. Converting at the anode waste lignin and its derivatives via selective oxidation.

EPOCH is beyond the state-of-the-art solutions, as it does not form molecular H2 at the cathode nor generates oxygen at the anode. By modifying both cathodic and anodic reactions, EPOCH reduces the energy intensity.

EPOCH will enable better cell performance and enhanced added-value device operations by

1. Improving energy efficiency
2. Allowing cost reductions
3. Intensifying the process.

The EPOCH device will be designed for flexible integration with biorefineries and pulp & paper industries, to valorize their lignin waste streams, thus, linking these industrial sectors and H2 economy.

EPOCH will allow the production of green H2 in areas where renewable energy production (in the energy mix) is higher. Therefore, EPOCH will offer a new path to effectively decrease the carbon footprint of energy-intensive industries. Development of the novel EPOCH electrocatalytic device requires

1. Advanced components (electrocatalysts, electrodes, electrolytes and ionic liquid promoters, membranes).
2. Validation of the full module cell operation at laboratory scale.

Thus, our project integrates multidisciplinary top-experts in areas such as electrocatalysis, lignin chemistry, and materials synthesis, with a large engineering company on energy transition and a SME world-leading the LOHC technology development and logistic.

Partners

The EPOCH project involves several partners with expertise in catalysis, electrocatalysis and conversion of biomass to biofuels. Here is a brief overview of each partner's contribution to the project:

Technische Universität München (TUM)

TUM is a global leader in catalyst development for the conversion of biomass into biofuels. The team has been exploring fundamental aspects of important catalytic reactions, which combine in-situ characterization of catalysts and catalytic processes with advanced kinetic analysis and the design and synthesis of catalysts with multiple functions. Over the past decade, TUM has developed electrocatalytic reactions for the conversion of biobased chemicals. Within EPOCH, TUM will focus on (high pressure) electrocatalytic reduction (loading) of LOHCs in close collaboration with Aalto. This will include the kinetic evaluation of cathode reactions, especially under high pressure and biphasic conditions, and the characterization of critical properties of catalysts under operating conditions.

Università degli Studi del Messina (Unime)

Unime is a well-recognized developer of catalysts and electrocatalytic solutions, involved (also coordinating) various projects in the area (DECADE, OCEAN, TERRA) and in various EU projects dealing with the electrocatalytic conversion of biobased chemicals or other electrocatalytic reactions (TERRA, PERFORM, etc.). The activities in EPOCH will focus on the development of anodes and anodic reactions to convert biobased molecules deriving from lignin. The activities will combine materials and electrodes development, electrode and cell engineering, advanced characterization of the electrocatalysts and their testing and ranking.

Technische Universiteit Delft (Delft)

Delft has strong expertise in heterogeneous catalysis, reaction engineering, and operando spectroscopy. Over the past decade, Delft has researched PEM electrolyzer systems and electrocatalyst development for hydrogen production as well as for direct hydrogenation of various molecules at the cathode. Delft has successfully employed operando X-ray absorption and Raman spectroscopies to understand catalyst structures in PEM electrolyzers. Such expertise and experiences will be brought to EPOCH.

Aalto University (Aalto)

Aalto presently coordinates the EU Horizon 2020 EHLCATHOL aiming at catalytic solvolysis of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin to fuel molecules and upgrading the product to high-quality commodity fuels, such as jet fuel and gasoline blends. The team has been leading in biomass chemical refining and electrochemical reactor designs, such as non-aqueous redox flow battery, (photo)electrochemical water splitting, and anode total oxidation reactors. Aalto is committed to the EPOCH device integration & validation at TRL 4 as well as bioLOHC and anode development. Their recently developed reduced TiO2 nanotube arrays with remarkable activity will be used as the basis to develop cathodes for achieving high selectivity of LOHC.

Luleå University of Technology

Luleå University of Technology has a long history and expertise in biomass conversion to fuels and energy from lab- to pilot-scales, where intensive research has been conducted on IL-based technologies, including electrochemical methods, from fundamental theoretical modelling and lab-testing to process simulation, evaluation, and assessment. CH2ESS was launched at Luleå University of Technology in 2021. In EPOCH, Luleå University of Technology will perform modeling to identify promising ILs as well as process and impact analysis (including LCA), and function as a bridge between EPOCH and CH2ESS.

NextChem

is part of the large multinational group Maire Tecnimont, and its core business is related to energy transition, circular economy, and green chemistry. Business activities are related to transforming innovative ideas into real industrial processes and plants, through project development, technology licensing, engineering, procurement, and construction services as well as joint ventures and cooperation agreements. It will be involved in TEA and the analysis of the technology exploitability.

Hydrogenious

Hydrogenious is a world SME leader in LOHC business area. It will be involved in the analysis of the logistic aspects of LOHC as well as in the definition and study of LOHC. Its work will be centered on: 1) the impact analysis for electrochemical and biogenic LOHCs loaded by electrochemistry; 2) analysis of electrochemical cycling of loading, de-loading, chemical analysis of potential LOHCs and impurities in these cycles; 3) provision of target LOHCs in the quantities needed.

Each partner brings unique expertise to the EPOCH project and contributes to the development of efficient and sustainable technologies for biomass conversion and hydrogen storage using LOHCs.