Work Package 3: Near-mature technologies and implementation levers

Using formic acid and solar energy, microalgae strains can capture atmospheric CO₂ and accumulate it in the form of energy-rich molecules, especially lipids, direct biofuel precursors, with a promising yield. We will investigate the scale-up of these photosynthetic cell factories from fundamental considerations (influence of the growth medium concentration on the development behavior of microalgae) as well as engineering considerations, such as energy saving (distribution of the solar energy between photosynthesis and utilities for the production) and (continuous) extraction of products of interest. Reports from previous attempts to develop microalgae-based technologies will also contribute to tasks 1.3 and 3.3 as first-hand examples.

Several technologies for water electrolysis into hydrogen and oxygen, using low-carbon electricity, are at an advanced stage of development, with the high-temperature solid oxide electrolyzer cell (HT SOEC) technology being at the prototype demonstration level. We will investigate the transposition of the above technologies to the electrolysis of CO₂, or its co-electrolysis (H₂O/CO₂ stream), for the production of carbon monoxyde (CO) or syngas. This will require several adjustments, facilitated by the cells' modular structure. Especially, structure-activity relationship data will be gathered to fine-tune the cathode to avoid coke formation.

Hydrogen issued from water (photo)- electrolysis can react with CO₂ or CO to give methane or methanol or could help produce urea in the presence of nitrogen. (Bio)reactors designed to accommodate such (bio)catalyzed reactions will be developed.