Partners
UNIVERSITY OF THE BASQUE COUNTRY UPV/EHU
Project coordinator
https://www.ehu.eus/en/web/supren/
UNIBIL as part of the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, an institution willing to produce knowledge, experience and research in order to forward them to the general public. Our courses catalogue consists of 67 Bachelor´s Degrees in all fields of knowledge. At postgraduate level, we offer 103 official master programmes, 44 professional & expert diplomas and 71 PhD programmes. The research group, named SuPrEn is involved in many activities related to the technologies for fuels generation from renewable sources and with experience in heterogeneous catalysts development, syngas and H2 production from natural gas and biomass-derived liquids, Power-to-X technologies, building block molecules from biomass production and modification to added value compounds, and Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) technology. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and carbon footprint expertise for previous research projects.
Regarding projects activity, in the national project HYVALUE, UNIBIL is making breakthrough developments from renewable electricity to end-users through H2 and methane generation by thermochemical cycles and H2 methanation, respectively. In the EU project SherLOHCk, UNIBIL has developed a sustainable and cost-efficient novel PGM-free catalyst for hydrogen and energy storage applications based on LOHCs. Mainly, for both hydrogenation and dehydrogenation processes. UNIBIL is the coordinator of the UnLOHCked project involved in the development of the CRM-free catalyst for the dehydrogenation process and catalyst upscaling. It is also responsible for establishing the life cycle analysis of the developed prototype.
COMMISSARIAT À L’ÉNERGIE ATOMIQUE ET AUX ÉNERGIES ALTERNATIVES
https://www.cea.fr/cea-tech/liten/Pages/Accueil.aspx
The CEA is a key player in research, development, and innovation in France. It has a strong track record of supporting and contributing to innovation in companies by offering their expertise and technologies. The LITEN institute, involved in this project, is a key actor in the energy transition, focused on solar energy, batteries, hydrogen vector and sustainable fuels. The team involved in the project has expertise in Chemical Engineering and reactor design. It has developed Heat-Exchanger reactors for the energy and the chemical markets, such as a methanation reactor technology for Power-to-Gas application. It has also contributed to various demonstration projects of the Power-to-X technology. The team is also involved in projects related to UnLOHCked, such as the development of a sustainable and cost-efficient catalyst for hydrogen and energy storage based on liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs), achieved through the development of novel PGM-free dehydrogenation catalysts and structured reactors during the SherLOHCk project.
As part of the ongoing project, the CEA will lead the development of the dehydrogenation reactor to be installed in the demo unit that will be running for 500 hours to produce 10 kg of H2 per day. It will also lead the techno-economic assessment of the project.
CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
The CNRS is a French public research organization and one of the world’s leading research institutions. It has a strong commitment to partnerships with academia, industry, and regional authorities, which enriches its research and extends its influence. Two of its labs, IRCELYON and CP2M, have a strong expertise in catalysis, catalyst design and characterization, and catalyst testing. It has demonstrated its proficiency in the development of heterogeneous catalysts using different synthetic routes. Its research spans various areas including LOHC (hydrogenation, dehydrogenation), biomass valorization, hydrosilylation, and green chemistry. One of its notable related projects is the development of new catalysts for SAFe HYdrogen Release and use (SAFHYR), which involved H2 generation from LOHC, coupling with a fuel cell, and the design of an appropriate reactor.
As a partner in the UnLOHCked project, the CNRS is involved in the catalysts development with low CRM content like platinum or CRM-free if possible. It is also leading the project’s communication.
FRAMATOME
Framatome is an industrial company known for its innovative solutions and value-added technologies for the global nuclear fleet. It has a proven track record for the design and fabrication of complex systems. Under the brand name of Covalion, Framatome based in Germany specializes in EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) of hydrogen and battery storage systems and equipment. Its expertise is particularly relevant to the UnLOHCked project – it has successfully designed and manufactured LOHC plants and modules. The work of Covalion has significant implications for the UnLOHCked project. It involves up-scaling of the dehydrogenation system, enabling long-distance transportation, and integrating the LOHC system with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to provide excess heat.
As a partner in the UnLOHCked project, Framatome will be involved in the dehydrogenation reactor modelling and design and the demonstration of LOHCs dehydrogenation plant. Additionally, it will integrate the LOHC dehydrogenation plant thermally coupled with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to produce hydrogen and electricity.
HERAEUS
https://www.heraeus.com/en/hpm/hpm_home/heraeus_precious_metals.html
Heraeus Precious Metals is globally leading in the precious metals industry. The company is part of the Heraeus Group and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to recycling.
Our profound expertise enables us to provide a wide portfolio of precious metal catalysts:
- Next-generation catalysts and coating solutions for electrolyzers
- Highly efficient catalysts for hydrogen and oxygen purification
- Innovative catalysts for the synthesis and cracking of e.g. NH3 and LOHC for hydrogen storage and transportation
- Comprehensive catalytic solutions for industrial applications in PEM-FC and balance of plant (BOP) components
In addition, Heraeus has the technological competencies to handle the recycling of precious metals from membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) and is able to provide the respective recycling capacities needed for the fast-growing hydrogen market. Our trading and hedging solutions complete our hydrogen loop.
HYGEAR
HyGear is a company based in Arnhem, The Netherlands, with a focus on the development and manufacturing of small-scale gas processing plants and purification systems, such as on-site hydrogen generators. With core competencies in prototyping, chemical engineering, reactor design, and gas purification technology, HyGear is committed to bringing on-site gas technologies to the market. In relation to the UnLOHCked project, HyGear’s expertise in small-scale gas processing and purification is particularly relevant. The company also boasts flexible engineering skills, prototyping, and testing capabilities.
HyGear has made significant strides in the field of gas processing and purification. It has been involved in the Hydrogen Supply and Transportation using Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (HySTOC) project. This project utilizes LOHC, aligning with UnLOHCked’s objectives. HyGear’s team has successfully developed CRM-free catalysts and integrated the system with a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SOFC) to provide excess heat. In addition to HySTOC, HyGear is developing the Electrified Reactor Technology (EreTech), which involves the construction of an electrically heated reactor. For this project, it is developing CRM-free catalysts and improving the thermal efficiency of the system.
As a partner in the UnLOHCked project, HyGear will be involved in the design of the dehydrogenation reactor. It will also lead the part of UnLOHCked dedicated to the development and implementation of a fully CO2-free dehydrogenation process, thermally coupled with the waste thermal energy of a SOFC.
NOORDWES-UNIVERSITEIT
The North-West University’s (NWU) HySA Infrastructure Centre of Competence (CoC) in South Africa specializes in hydrogen production and storage technologies, including PEM water electrolyser stacks, CCMs, hydrogen refuelling systems, and electrochemical characterization. Other areas of expertise are electrochemical hydrogen compression, heterogeneous catalyst synthesis and characterization, catalyst performance evaluation, system development, and automation. It’s part of a national flagship programme funded by the Department of Science and Innovation, with NWU providing co-funding and in-kind contributions. The Unlohcked project at HySA Infrastructure promotes skills development and training within the hydrogen sector.
Prior to EU collaborations, NWU established expertise in conducting hydrogenation and dehydrogenation tests using LOHC. Under the EU Sherlohck project, NWU focused on catalyst development for the dehydrogenation of LOHCs, showcasing its expertise in computational modelling, catalyst supply, compact dehydrogenation reactor system design and LOHC testing and validation at a laboratory scale.
In the ongoing newly approved Unlohcked project, NWU aims to further utilize its catalyst characterisation and development expertise. The focus will be on development of induction heating for dehydrogenation of LOHCs and advancing the use of low Critical Raw Materials (CRM) catalysts and assessing their performance in a continuous reactor.
Project Partners Locations
Associated partners and parties committed to support UnLOHCked
| REPSOL | REPSOL |  |
| ARKEMA | ARKEMA |  |
| Energy Agency FUKUSHIMA | EAF |  |
| TENERRDIS | TENERRDIS |  |
| ENAGAS Infraestructuras de Hidrógeno | ENAGAS |  |