Valentin Seithümmer

2023

Techno-Economic Potential of Plasma-Based CO2 Splitting in Power-to-Liquid Plants

https://doi.org/10.3390/app13084839

2023 (Poster)

CO2-Loop using Carbon Capture and Plasma Technology for Synthetic Fuel and Sustainable Cement Production

http://dx.doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.2.21044.63367

2021

Application of a wire-mesh sensor for the experimental characterization of liquid distribution in packed columns

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2021.116721

B.Sc. Environmental Engineering, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

Focus: Sustainable Process Engineering

Bachelor thesis: Investigation of abrasive high temperature wear of NiCr alloys

ERASMUS-Exchange at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim

Focus: Process Engineering

M.Sc. Mechanical Engineering, Ruhr-University Bochum, Germany

Focus: Energy and Process Engineering

Master thesis: Characterization of the phase distribution in absorption columns using innovative wire mesh sensor measurement techniques (using MatLab algorithms due to Big-Data)

Process Engineer at Mikrotechnik Ehrfeld GmbH

Focus: Optimization of micro-technical modular plant concepts

University of Stuttgart Project Engineer for WAVE-H2 (Hydrogen infrastructure) und PhD student

Focus: Power-to-X Processes

Electrical Energy Storage Systems

As a studied process engineer with a specialization in energy and process engineering, the field of work at the University of Stuttgart is in the area of Power-to-X as well as the associated research of hydrogen production and the use. The goal is the decarbonization of the transport and industrial sector using renewable energies. In this field of research, the project "Bluefire" is supervised and as a project engineer the hydrogen infrastructure WAVE-H2 at the campus Vaihingen of the University of Stuttgart is built up by Valentin:

Bluefire

Concrete production is responsible for 8% of global CO ₂ emissions. With around 3 MJ per m ³ _concrete of specific energy input, concrete can only be produced in a very energy-intensive way. This is because concrete uses calcium oxide (CaO) as a binder. To produce calcium oxide, lime (CaCO ₃) must be burned at high temperatures. This produces emissions in two ways: Natural gas is burned to generate the necessary high temperatures. In addition, CO ₂ is released from lime during the conversion process: In previous production processes, 600 kg of CO ₂ are released per ton of cement, 60% of which is burnt out of CaCO ₃.

First Step – Direct Air Capture: As part of BlueFire a „Direct Air Capture“ (DAC) system is designed to create a closed CO ₂-loop. The DAC consists of a CO ₂ absorption process by air blown counter current to an aqueous solution of sodium hydroxide (NaOH), whereby CO ₂ from the air reacts to form sodium carbonate (Na ₂CO ₃). Sequentially, CO ₂ is transferred to CaO and reacts exothermically to CaCO ₃. This product (lime: the raw material for a cement plant) precipitates and can be separated by filtration.

Second Step – Plasma Based Synthetic Fuels : The plasma process tackles both CO ₂ emitants during concrete production. On one hand, no gas is burned to reach high temperatures for lime burning ( ). Hereby the energy and temperature are supplied by the plasma process. On the other hand, the CO ₂ produced by the chemical reaction can be used in the carbon monoxide (CO) synthesis in the reactor. The innovative plasma process converts CO ₂ to CO, which, together with green hydrogen, forms synthesis gas (syngas). This is used to produce synthetic fuels and chemicals.

Funding: Vektorstiftung

Link

WAVE-H2:

Hydrogen technology is an essential building block for solving our global climate change. The German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding a „Wandlungsfähige, energieflexible und vernetzte H2-Industrieforschungsplattform - WAVE-H2 (Transformable, Energy-Flexible and linked H2 Industrial Research Platform, which will be constructed by the Institutes of Energy Efficiency in Production (EEP) and of Photovoltaics (ipv) at the University of Stuttgart. Within this framework, innovation modules will be set up as a research hub at the Vaihingen campus, which is planned by the Power-to-X research group of the ipv. The platform will create a hydrogen-based innovation hub for a wide range of applications that will further drive the decarbonization of the industrial sector. The research hub is divided into 5 main topics: Electrolysis Test Center, Bivalent Production Test Center, Solid-to-H2 Test Center, H2-to-CH4 Test Center, and Fuel Cell Test Center. In the adjacent office complex, an open workspace will be created for a total of 15 researchers and scientific employees.

Funding: BMBF

Link