Materials research for the energy transition
(eg two Fraunhofer Institutes, Energy Campus Nuremberg, Bavarian Center for Applied Energy Research ZAE) excellent materials research combined with process engineering expertise. The exhibited exhibits show possible solutions for the various challenges of the energy transition:
Power generation through wind energy plays an important role in the renewable energy mix. A wind turbine with six blades - consisting of two three-blade rotors on a horizontal axis of rotation - was optimized in its aerodynamic structure at the Chair of Fluid Mechanics through simulation and experimental testing in the wind tunnel. The aim is to increase the overall performance in converting wind energy into electrical energy compared to the individual wheel. The following parameters are optimized for this: cross-section, profile and relative size of the rotor blades as well as the direction of rotation of the wind turbines.
New storage technologies
Innovative storage technologies are the key to the efficient use of renewable energy. The chemical reaction technology shows solutions. A new form of storage of hydrogen produced by electricity from renewable electricity uses so-called "Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers" (LOHC). Hydrogen is stored here in a hydrocarbon compound. This substance group is not explosive, has a similar consistency as diesel fuel, reaches up to 30 percent of the heating value of heating oil and can also be distributed like this in the existing logistics chain. When energy is needed, the high-energy liquid (LOHC) is energetically discharged with release of hydrogen in a catalytic reaction and can then be returned to the place of energy production. For hydrogen release, catalytic processes and optimized reactors play the crucial role.
Porous materials for new reactor systems
Chemical reaction engineering also shows reactor systems that are geometrically complex and at the same time can withstand high mechanical, thermal and corrosive loads. The basic structures of these reactors are porous metallic components that are produced by selective electron beam melting. In this process, almost any three-dimensional shape including reactor internals (e.g. internal cell structure, cooling loops) can be realized in just one production step and then the surface can be coated with catalytically active materials. This creates new types of catalyst structures or microreactor elements that are unique in this form. This technology is currently being established in the project "New materials and manufacturing processes for components in process engineering - VerTec" in Fürth and is looking for pilot projects with industry.
Efficient and environmentally friendly oil heating
Even with the world's smallest oil heater, porous materials play a decisive role. The heart of the heating system consists of a pore burner, which enables low-emission combustion with high efficiency and which was developed at the Institute of Fluid Mechanics. As part of the PyrInno project, 13 partners from 2006 to 2008 have brought a household energy center for liquid fuels to market. The core component is a compact burner with a large power modulation range from 1 kW to 8 kW. This heating system with its high efficiency and low space and energy requirements, reduced emission of pollutants and noise is perfectly suited for the increasingly low energy demand in well-insulated houses.
Layer systems on particles and with particles
Coatings on particles can be, inter alia, fluidized bed systems using various methods such. B. ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) set particularly efficient. Such systems are z. B. for the next generation of Li-ion batteries at the Chair of Solid and interfacial Process Engineering (LFG). Be functional layers with particles
in solar cells, for fuel cell electrodes or for printable electronics. It is always about the formulation of appropriate pastes and inks, which must have good stability against agglomeration and optimally adjusted flow properties. By appropriate printing methods, the layer structures and the properties can be controlled within wide limits.
Basis for new materials: customized molecules and particle systems
The production, analysis and use of molecular building blocks for new materials is a key and cross-sectional technology. The Chair of Chemical Reaction Engineering focuses on ionic liquids (IL). These consist exclusively of ions, have a very low vapor pressure and are liquid at room temperature. Their properties can be tailored to a wide range of applications: z. B. as part of lubricants for wind turbines or in internal combustion engines. They also play an important role in catalysis, eg. B. in the so-called SILP (supported ionic liquid phase) technology, are immobilized in the ionic liquids on porous support materials. By introducing a catalyst into the IL, the advantages of heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis (molecular catalyst design, easy product separation) can be combined.
The Department of Solid and Interface Process Engineering focuses on the large-scale production, characterization, functionalization and application of new particle systems. A particularly promising field is the use in modern solar cells based on inorganic-organic hybrid materials with great potential. These could soon completely replace rare earths and silicon and play a major role in many areas of materials such as quantum dots in optoelectronics, particles as reinforcement in lightweight materials, as components in optics and photonics, and in catalysis.
Cluster of Excellence Engineering of Advanced Materials (EAM)
The excellence cluster "Engineering of Advanced Materials - Hierarchical Structure Formation for Functional Devices" established at FAU in November 2007 deals with the research and development of novel materials. The vision of the cluster is to close the gap between the natural science-based basic research in the field of nanotechnology and its engineering implementation in important technological and economic key areas in the field of nanoelectronics, optics & photonics, catalysis and lightweight construction. 90 scientists from eight disciplines (applied mathematics, biological and chemical engineering, chemistry, electrical engineering, computer science, mechanical engineering, physics and materials science) work together in over 200 projects along the process chain from the molecule to the material. They cooperate with non-university research institutions such as the two Erlanger-Fraunhofer Institutes, the Max Planck Institute for the Physics of Light and with selected industrial partners. For a period of five years, 40 million euros from the Excellence Initiative and a further 41 million euros from the federal government, the state of Bavaria, FAU and industry were raised.
Department of Chemical and Bioengineering (CBI)
Chemical and Bioengineering (CBI) deals with the modification of substances through chemical, physical and biological processes. The aim is to improve product properties and to reduce the number and quantity of unwanted by-products and waste products by constantly optimizing existing or using new processes. Thanks to their broad education, chemical and biological engineers are represented in many industries: in the chemical, pharmaceutical, petroleum and food industries, in plant and automotive engineering, as well as in energy technology and environmental protection. In research, the Departments of the Department CBI are involved in the areas of chemical reaction engineering, thermal, biological medical process engineering, interfacial process engineering and multi-scale simulation methods, systems engineering, fluid mechanics and thermodynamics. Since March 2011, the newly founded Chair of Energy Process Engineering also covers new technologies and concepts for a CO2 poor energy supply. In education, the Department carries out the bachelor and master programs "Chemical and Bioengineering", "Life Science Engineering" and "Energy Engineering" and is involved in other courses of the Faculty of Engineering.
Further information for the media:
Annette Tyrach
Tel: 09131 / 85 20480-
ppgad@pucrs.br
