An Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) co-electrolysis model for ethylene production
Semester Project, available now
Aim
To achieve carbon neutrality, different carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) technologies are used in high-emission industries. The problem is the high investment cost and the necessity of finding a place to store large amounts of carbon dioxide. One of the solutions is to produce high-value-added carbon products using the produced carbon dioxide, such as methane. Co-electrolysis is a promising technology that can use excess renewable energy to produce syngas with the feedstock of water and carbon dioxide. And syngas is the feedstock for multiple chemical production, such as methanol, ethanol, and DME. Solid oxide cell is a representative of co-electrolysis, investigated by many researchers. In this project, we will investigate a novel co-electrolysis system in which AEM directly produces ethylene (C2H4) and other carbon reduction products. A process model will be made according to an existing co-electrolysis model of SOE and experimental data from LSCI (Prof. Xile Hu). The work will be done in collaboration with the GEM and IPESE.
Tasks
- Understand the co-electrolysis mechanism of AEM.
- Make a process model based on an existing co-electrolysis model and validate it by using experimental data.
- Conduct a techno-economic analysis of the co-electrolysis system.
Skills
- Familiar with Aspen Plus
- Background in chemical engineering and electrolysis
- Results interpretation and report writing
Administrative
This project is a part of collaborative research work between IPESE (EPFL) and GEM (EPFL). The project will be supervised by Du Wen (IPESE), and co-supervised by Xinyi (IPESE, GEM). If interested, please send your CV, with short motivation letter, to Xinyi and Du.
Location
This research work will be conducted at EPFL, Sion.
Supervisors
Du Wen: du.wen@epfl.ch; Xinyi Wei: xinyi.wei@epfl.ch;