our mission
The core research goal within ELCAT lies in the development of state-of-the art electrochemical reactors and catalysts, with a view towards large-scale industrial development in the field of industrial electrification, in a green and sustainable way.
WHAT WE DO
In the domain of electrochemical reactor engineering ELCAT focuses on development and optimisation of electrochemical reactors. Investigations in this research domain require a combined approach of know-how on (1) reactor design, (2) electrochemical analysis techniques, (3) electrocatalysis and (4) electrochemical synthesis.
Electrochemistry allows for a manifold of reactions to proceed on a laboratory or industrial scale under ambient conditions. At the same time, it benefits from a relatively high energy efficiency and selectivity, which can be tuned towards the desired product by adapting the operating potential and/or the electrocatalyst. The major drawback of electrochemical activation is the large overpotential which is required for many of these processes. In order to reduce those large overpotentials, we thus need a well suited electrocatalyst.
Moving towards a decarbonized economy, the ambition to decouple industrial processes from fossil-fuel-derived energy sources will inevitably pass through the exploitation of renewable energy sources such as wind, water and sun. Chemical manufacturing is nowadays based on thermochemical processes which are highly energy-demanding, requiring large amounts of heat.
Research
OUR MOST RECENT ACTIVITIES
Catalysis for CCU: valorisation of CO and CO2 through carbon capture and use.
In light of the climate challenges by which humankind is currently faced, CO2 capture and conversion has emerged as one of the best ways to proceed and curb the ever-increasing CO2 levels in the atmosphere.
Reactive Amine Scrubbing for CO2 Conversion.
The project aims at developing innovative continuous flow technologies with as prospective industrial implementation. Flow technology is especially useful for continuous processes and can be implemented at different levels going from efficient and economic screening of process conditions to process intensification.
Flow technology as solution for up-scaling and increasing efficiency of chemical processes.
“The project aims at developing innovative continuous flow technologies with as prospective industrial implementation. Flow technology is especially useful for continuous processes and can be implemented at different levels going from efficient and economic screening of process conditions to process intensification
SYNergetic design of CATalytic materials for integrated photo- and electrochemical CO2 conversion processes (Syn-Cat).
The objective of the project is to combine photo- and electrochemistry into a photo-electrocatalytic approach to convert CO2 into methanol.
Analytical assistance and consulting
Measuring chemical products is the cornerstone of solving production issues. With our experience in tailor made analyses we can help you gain more insight in to your (bio)-chemical processes. Our high end industry-standard tools such as ICP-MS, GC(-MS) and HPLC have already proven their efficacy in previous projects.
Electrochemical characterisation
Corrosion is one of the main causes of degradation in industrial installations. The ELCAT group can consult on this with a variety of electrochemical analysis tools such as impedance spectroscopy. Other services can be provided in the field of CO2 reduction, organic electrochemistry and electrochemical reactor engineering.
Separation processes
Designing an industrial separation process is virtual impossible without accurate physicochemical data of the chemical species involved. For complex separation processes it can also be highly beneficial to conduct trial separation runs in pilot scale equipment in order to test the validity of the design procedures. The ELCAT group can offer expertise on debottlenecking, physicochemical data measurements and pilot scale trial separation runs for third parties to facilitate easier scale-up of separation processes.