H2-SYNERGY

H2-Synergy project is focused on the conversion of renewable energy thanks to the production of H2/syngas and biochar, combining a high-temperature steam electrolysis (using solid oxide cell) with a gasification process of residual biomass and/or plastic waste, exploiting the O2 produced by electrolysis. The process is completed with an oxy-reforming unit located at the gasifier outlet, which uses the O2 produced by electrolysis to convert tars and light hydrocarbons to syngas (CO and H2). The integration allows the recovery of gasification heat, significantly improving the efficiency of electrolysis, the gasification yield and decreasing costs. The process also involves the co-production of biochar as a high added value material which will be valorized by evaluating its characteristics as a soil improver, adsorbent material and its inclusion in industrial supply chains.

Goals

The objective of the H2-Synergy project is the use of renewable energy and biomass or waste plastics for the production of H2/syngas and biochar; this coupling the production of hydrogen and oxygen with a solid oxide electrolyser and the development of a gasification process fed with oxygen-rich mixture.

Activity

The project see the collaboration of various entities with specialized skills and two companies, Iridenergy and ABK Group, to achieve the expected results.

The H2-Synergy project is divided into 5 Work Packages (WP):
WP1 will be dedicated to the production and development of catalysts for the gas upgrading (oxy-reforming) and solid oxide electrochemical cell (SOEC) materials. The catalysts will be produced in powder form and formed into pellets or structured systems for the WP2 and WP3 tests.

WP2 will be devoted to the systems development, namely the high temperature SOEC electrolysis for H2 and O2 production, the biomass gasification process and the gas upgrading using O2/H2O /CO2.

WP3 will scale the process to TRL 6 by feeding the pyro-gasifier with residual biomass and polymeric waste, using an O2/H2O mixture as an oxidizer. The pyro-gasifier will be integrated with an upgrading catalyst tested both in i) a side-stream of the gas produced in industrial conditions and ii) implemented in the pyro-gasifier for syngas and biochar production.

WP4 will deal with the characterization and study of the char applications both i) as a soil improver/absorbent and ii) as raw material for the industrial ceramic supply chain, identifying the plant conditions favorable to the production of a superior quality char.

WP5 will deal with the dissemination of the project results and the promotion of its products.

Expected results

The H2-Synergy project includes the following outputs:
– WP1 aims to identify the composition of oxy-reforming catalysts, scale the most efficient one and develop the materials for the SOEC system.
– WP2 aims to: – validate the gasification of biomass with O2/CO2/H2O mixtures on a laboratory scale and collect useful information for application in industrial conditions
– WP3 aims to develop an innovative gasifier integrated with oxy-reforming with O2/H2O mixtures for the valorization of supply chain waste.
– WP4 aims to characterize the char obtained in different conditions from a morphological, chemical-physical and elemental composition point of view as well as to determine the char absorption properties and its potential as a soil improver or raw material for industrial processes
– WP5 aims to disseminate the results of the project

The project is made possible by European funds from the Emilia-Romagna Region.