Starting in 2035, the European Union (EU) will ban the sale of gasoline or diesel-powered internal combustion engine vehicles, except for newly manufactured cars using electrofuels (e-fuels).
In this regard, a significant breakthrough has been achieved with the development of a microchannel reactor capable of producing diesel-like electrofuels from carbon dioxide. This innovative technology not only provides a viable solution for future fuel standards but also shows promise for industries requiring heat management, including electrofuel production and ammonia synthesis.
The Heat Pump Research Center at the Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has achieved a major breakthrough. Led by Principal Researcher Young Kim, the team has developed a highly efficient microchannel reactor for producing electrofuels similar to diesel fuel.
This innovative reactor reduces the required catalyst amount by 70% while increasing capacity by 30 times compared to current reactors. It boasts safety at high temperature and pressure, efficient heat removal, and flexible temperature settings, making it an ideal choice for e-fuel production.
Electrofuels, also known as e-fuels, are produced using green hydrogen (renewable hydrogen) obtained through electrolysis using renewable energy, along with carbon dioxide captured from the air. Considered as “clean fuels,” electrofuels are expected to play a significant role in reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector.
Therefore, a crucial technology is required to effectively dissipate this heat. The reactor developed by the KIMM employs a novel approach of fusing plates with a layered microchannel structure through a high-temperature method rather than using adhesives. This design enables the reactor to manage heat excellently, even at elevated temperatures.
The electrofuels generated using the reactor created by the KIMM’s research team exhibit a cetane index of 55.7, meeting the domestic requirement for vehicle diesel, which mandates a cetane index of at least 52. This index aligns closely with the cetane numbers of diesel sold by Korean refineries, typically ranging from 54 to 57.
Slurry reactors and fluidized bed reactors (FBRs) are conventionally employed to manage excessive heat during fuel synthesis, but they are most effective for large-scale production. However, in the context of decentralized renewable power plants, where the amount of hydrogen produced is relatively small, using a large-sized reactor can hinder economic efficiency.
Leveraging the existing technology for microchannel heat exchangers, the KIMM’s research team has engineered a compact, highly efficient microchannel reactor. During testing, it was confirmed that 93 percent of the synthetic gas was converted into fuel. The development of a production process for electrofuels, compact enough to fit within a cargo container, could eventually lead to the establishment of eco-friendly fuel stations dispensing electrofuels.
“The superior heat management capabilities of this new technology allow it to swiftly adapt to variations in the supply of intermittently stored renewable energies, such as solar or wind power,” said Principal Researcher Young Kim of the KIMM. “In anticipation of future scenarios with surplus renewable energy supplies, our team is committed to enhancing the economic viability of renewable energy production and improving power grid stability through the application of sophisticated power demand management technologies.”
