The Techno-Economic Analysis group investigates the production and use of alternative fuels, combustibles and (basic) chemicals in cooperation with diverse partners from industry and research. Since 2013, the department has been investigating and optimising a wide variety of production processes with its know-how in chemical process technology. This includes in detail
The focus of the group lies in the comprehensive use of the acquired knowledge for the development of promising options for the provision of chemical energy sources and renewable fuels in order to defossilise energy-intensive industrial processes and all transport sectors, including aviation and shipping. In addition to pure chemical synthesis, the group also has expertise in evaluating the need for PV and wind power for PtX plants as well as the large-scale transport of hydrogen or other PtX products. For this purpose, an extensive network from industry and research is maintained and constantly expanded.
Challenges include the mapping of new, innovative process steps (often on a very small scale), the development of new process concepts, interconnections and links with upstream and downstream plants, the expansion of the methodology in terms of accuracy, scope and flexibility, the inclusion of further cost components (renewable energy generation, logistics, distribution, ...) and the development of long-term sustainability strategies for entire sectors.
Our work to date on techno-economic and techno-ecological process analysis includes: