Minister Anja Karliczek and Stefan Kaufmann, Innovation Officer, “Green Hydrogen,” both from the Federal Ministry of Education and Research
Evonik and Siemens Energy commission a pilot plant sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) that uses carbon dioxide and water to produce chemicals. The necessary energy is supplied by electricity from renewable sources. The Rheticus I and II research projects are reportedly funded with 6.3 million euros from BMBF.
Researchers used nature as the model for the idea of artificial photosynthesis, which is behind the Rheticus experimental facility. Just as plants use solar energy to produce sugar from carbon dioxide (CO2) and water in several steps, for example, artificial photosynthesis uses renewable energies to produce valuable chemicals from CO2 and water through electrolysis with the help of bacteria. This type of artificial photosynthesis can serve as an energy store and thus help to close the carbon cycle and reduce carbon dioxide pollution in the atmosphere.
Marl is Evonik’s largest site. The pilot plant consists of a CO electrolyzer, developed by Siemens Energy, a water electrolyzer and the bioreactor. In the electrolyzers, carbon dioxide and water are first converted into carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2) with electricity. This synthesis gas is used by special microorganisms to produce specialty chemicals, initially for research purposes. These chemicals are the starting materials for things such as special plastics or food supplements.
In the coming weeks, the composition of the synthesis gas and the interaction between electrolysis and fermentation will be optimized, according to Evonik. In addition, a unit for processing the liquid from the bioreactor will be set up to obtain the pure chemicals.
For more information, visit: www.evonik.com
