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conferenceseries
.com
September 02-03, 2019 | Berlin, Germany
6
th
World Conference on Climate Change
Volume 10
Journal of Earth Science & Climatic Change
ISSN: 2157-7617
Climate Change 2019
September 02-03, 2019
“Metha-Cycle”: Methanol cycle for storage of renewable energy
Anastasiya Agapova, Henrik Junge
and
Matthias Beller
Leibniz Institut für Katalyse, Germany
H
ere we present the renewable energy project “Metha-Cycle”. The aim of this project is the technological
development of energy and hydrogen storage in methanol. This technology also enables the carbon dioxide
based chemical storage of renewable energies as well as a decentralized supply of energy and hydrogen.
Statement of the Problem:
The concept of “hydrogen economy” in the renewable energy field is an attractive
developing topic, since hydrogen is being viewed as environmentally benign energy carrier. Storage of hydrogen
is a challenge, because its liquefaction is rather costly and has its challenges. That is why the chemical storage of
hydrogen in liquid organic compounds and its release on demand is currently in focus. Presently there are many
systems under investigation (formic acid, methanol, LOHC). Methanol, having high gravimetric and volumetric
hydrogen content under ambient conditions and long term stability, is viewed as very promising for this purpose.
Methodology & Theoretical Orientation:
The aim of the project is the technological development of energy and
hydrogen storage in methanol via CO
2
neutral cycle. The aim of the LIKAT sub-project is the development of
suitable catalysts for hydrogen production. The obtained data and catalysts should serve as the basis for operation
of a miniplant in FAU Erlangen-Nurnberg. The aim of ZBT Duisburg subproject is the development of a polymer
electrolyte (PEM) fuel cell system for the efficient conversion of H
2
produced from MeOH while simultaneously
providing the reaction enthalpy necessary for the catalytic splitting of methanol. A second focus of the LIKAT
subproject is the development of catalysts for low-temperature methanol production by direct hydrogenation of CO
2
.
The aim of HOST subproject is a modular simulation of the entire system of methanol production and reconversion
by wind and solar power. The present interdisciplinary project enables indirect storage of wind energy in the form of
methanol, and further methanol conversion into electrical energy via low-temperature hydrogen release in a fuel cell.
Findings:
For LIKAT subproject we report an improved bi-catalytic system for methanol dehydrogenation, using
two ruthenium-based PNP pincer complexes at mild conditions (TON > 17000). The proposed system exhibits
synergistic activity under significantly reduced base amount. For low scale reaction at least 120 h of continuous
hydrogen generation is achieved with good product selectivity.
Recent Publications
1. D. Mellmann, P. Spronholz, H. Junge, M. Beller. Formic acid as a hydrogen storage material – development of
homogeneous catalysts for selective hydrogen release. Chem. Soc. Rev., 2016, 45, 3954.
Anastasiya Agapova et al., J Earth Sci Clim Change 2019, Volume: 10