General purpose and integration into the MOONSHOT.
The aim of the project is to build a demonstration setup at pilot level of the op door
the applicants sampled super dry conversion of CO2 into CO on a laboratory scale (g / h scale). On the right
an efficient production of materials required for this process will also be tackled on a 100 kg scale.
As such, this project will make an important contribution to the transition from a linear to a circular
economy, focused on sustainable development by replacing the end-of-life concept with reuse
of the two main greenhouse gases, CO2 and CH4.
The project will contribute to the realization of the first and third KPI of MOT3:
1. 60% reduction in "CO2 emissions / tons produced" by the (petro) chemical industry, for which
at least 1 technology will be developed on TRL-6 by 2035;
3. economically profitable conversion of captured CO2 as a raw material for Flemish industry.

At least 1 technology will be developed on TRL-6 by 2035.

Concrete objectives and criteria
The aim of this project is to scale up a process concept (in particular super dry conversion of biomethane)
for the conversion of carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide based on chemical
circular processes. The super dry reforming (SDR) of (bio) methane is a strong one
intensified process, because it converts up to three CO2 molecules per molecule of CH4 into a pure CO stream
instead of just one.

The main challenge in deploying and commercializing chemical circuit processes such as SDR is the
robustness and economic readiness of the oxygen carriers for long-term profitability
under industrial conditions. There is a large gap between the materials used on a laboratory scale,
which exhibit excellent properties, and the corresponding industrial solids. Next to an
build pilot level demonstration set-up based on multi-reactor configuration,
the efficient production of the materials will also be tackled on a 100 kg scale.

The main goals of this project are:
• Production of robust materials (catalyst, oxygen storage and CO2 sorbent materials: ± 100 kg);
• Design, tender and build Europe's first setup for super dry reforming at pilot level (1 kg CO2 / h);
• Demonstration of the feasibility of SDR in a permanent periodic regimen (over 500 hours, 3000 cycles);
• Development and demonstration of auto-thermal SDR, i.e. without external heating;
• Collection of an extensive set of experimental data for the following developmental stages (being industrial demonstration).

Expected impact
Taking into account the fact that in the EU, biomethane production has a potential up to
30 Mt / y can grow, it would be possible to get about 10% of the current stationary CO2 emissions
convert sources into CO. This is more than 250 Mt CO2 per year, but it could be much more if
other methane sources would be used. In combination with renewable H2, for example
produced from green electricity, CO can become a crucial platform molecule in the chemical sector.
In addition, CO2 can also be used as a reductant in the steel industry.

The pilot will provide important operational / experimental data, which is crucial for the assessment of
the economic feasibility of the technology. If positive, the next step will be development
of an industrial demonstration set-up on an industrial site in 2025-2030. This follow-up will
likely to be conducted in collaboration with a consortium of companies; Also will for this
we look at resources from the Innovation Fund.

After successful industrial demonstration, the final step in valorization will be the licensing of the
technology to industrial partners. The choice of licensees will be such that one is so wide
possible industrial adoption is possible.