EUH2STARS
Hydrogen is a key to increasing the security of energy supply in the context of the energy transition. Within the framework of Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the project EUH2STARS has been initiated to test the economic and technical feasibility of a complete underground hydrogen storage system. The project will explore its contribution to electricity management and storage, supply security, interfaces with hydrogen end-users, and achieveable economies of scale.
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C-CED
Carbon Cycle Economy Demonstration is a flagship project that focuses on demonstrating and combining different CO2 capture and utilisation technologies to establish a sustainable and closed carbon cycle. CO2 from different sources is used to produce valuable renewable methane at a pilot-scale geometanisation facility. Methane is an important carbon-based energy source and is commercially used in many industrial processes. Gaseous energy has a high energy value, is transported, stored and distributed worldwide through existing infrastructure and is therefore a suitable energy supply medium.
Axiom's project focuses on the development of separation methods to capture CO2 for methane synthesis. In addition, Axiom will evaluate the integration capabilities and performance of a new electrodialysis-based DAC process as a possible carbon source for carbon cycles.
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ECOFUEL
The EU-funded EcoFuel project was aimed at development and demonstration of an innovative process chain that is capable of improving the energy efficiency of synthetic fuel production from CO2 and water by renewable energy. The project concept focuses on the integration of individual chemical conversion steps in a complete process chain to produce renewable, high-energy liquid hydrocarbon fuels for mobile applications. Process steps include the provision of renewable reactants, purification, as well as electrocatalytic and thermocatalytic conversions.
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As part of the EcoFuel project, Axiom's objective was to research and build a novel DAC system using bipolar electrodialysis as a means of supplying carbon feedstock for synthetic fuel production. In addition, Axiom developed solutions for enriching C2/C3 components and adjusting the composition of the gas mixture for hydrocarbon synthesis.
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UNDERGROUND SUN STORAGE 2030
Underground Sun Storage 2030 is a project investigating a large-scale seasonal renewable energy storage solution. The renewable energy generated will be stored as pure hydrogen (H2) in post-operational underground natural gas reservoirs. Current power system models predict an overcapacity in electricity supply during summer. Conversely, fewer hours of sunshine and periods of low water levels in winter will result in power shortages. In a sustainable energy economy, this gap cannot be filled either by fossil fuel power plants or by importing electricity from neighbouring countries, which are likely to face similar challenges. Consequently, there is a need to shift many TWh of energy from summer to winter.
Axiom's role is to develop and demonstrate a new hybrid hydrogen purification process. The system is based on a combination of membrane and adsorption processes operating directly on the gas storage.
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CO2EXIDE
The CO2EXIDE project sought to develop a combined electrochemical and chemical technology to produce ethylene oxide from bio-based CO2. As the first process step, the electrochemical unit simultaneously converts CO2 to ethylene at the cathode and the oxidises water to hydrogen peroxide at the anode. The subsequent chemical conversion of both intermediates to ethylene oxide is realised as a chemical cascade reaction. CO2EXIDE technology combines a modular nature enabling decentralised application, high energy and material efficiency and the substitution of fossil fuel-based ethylene oxide production. In line with the energy turnaround, CO2EXIDE technology will be able to be combined with renewable energy sources and will allow the direct creation of products that can be integrated into the existing supply chain. Reactions are be carried out at low temperatures and pressures and foresee significant improvements in energy and resource efficiency combined with considerable reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. All enhancements will be quantified using an environmental life-cycle assessment.
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LEAN GAS COMBUSTION
Axiom has developed a new process for the combustion of carbon dioxide- and methane-poor mixtures. A possible application is flaring waste gases from biogas upgrading plants to meet regulatory requirements for hydrocarbon emissions. The methane content of waste gases from biogas upgrading plants with a high recovery membrane is in the range of 0.5 - 2 % volume. It can be combusted and neutralised using the developed combustion system.
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The system is characterised by quick and easy start-up. At steady state, the flame burns independently. The specific energy consumption is less than 0.01 kWh/Nm³ of waste gas. Methane emissions comply with the Gasnetzzugangsverordnung (German Gas Grid Access Directive) and TA-Luft (German Clean Air Act).
UNDERGROUND SUN STORAGE
Underground Sun Storage is a project targeting the as-yet-unsolved problem of storing variable renewable energy (mainly solar and wind). The increasing share of renewable energy sources causes issues in balancing the electricity grid, and excess energy production needs to be reduced through storage. The solution is to store electricity in chemical form (in this case hydrogen produced from water) in porous subsurface reservoirs. Thus, the project will be the cornerstone of Austria's ‘Power to Gas’ strategy.​
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Axiom's task is to develop and test under real-world conditions a membrane gas separation system to control the hydrogen content of a gas mixture withdrawn from an underground reservoir.
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UNERGROUND SUN CONVERSION
The Underground Sun Conversion project has made it possible for the first time to produce natural gas directly in a geomethanisation process using a microbial conversion initiated specifically for this purpose. This innovative method is unique in the world and replicates the natural process of gas formation, but shortens it by millions of years - geological history at an accelerated rate.
First, hydrogen is generated from solar or wind energy and water in an above-ground facility and then injected into an existing gas reservoir (pore) along with carbon dioxide - creating a sustainable carbon cycle. At a depth of more than 1,000 metres, in a relatively short period, naturally occurring microorganisms convert these gases into renewable natural gas, which can be stored in the same reservoir, extracted as needed at any time and transported to consumers via the existing pipeline network.
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Within this research project, Axiom's work focused on the conditioning of gas from underground methanisation. The main objective was to develop a membrane system for the separation of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from the withdrawn gas. With this system, the gas produced is compatible with the natural gas infrastructure and can be fed into the gas grid.
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SYNTHESIS OF NEW MEMBRANES
MODULES
Axiom investigates new membranes under real operating conditions. This is possible thanks to our experimental membrane modules that can be integrated on-the-run to processes in the field operations.
COATER
Axiom's Coater - is a semi-automated plant for coating porous fibres with selective polymers to produce composite membranes.
MEMBRANES
In the electron microscope photograph a section of a composite membrane consisting of porous polypropylene and a selective PEBA layer is visible. The membrane has unique properties for the separation of gas pairs N2/CO2 and H2/CO2 .
