Thermal Energy and Process Systems

Efficient thermal energy and separation processes make a decisive contribution to energy supply and energy consumption worldwide. Research into innovative approaches to energy generation using supercritical CO₂ as a working medium as well as energy-optimised phase contacting and reducing the size of separation equipment are of crucial importance for resource-saving energy generation and use.

Supercritical CO₂-power cycles for efficient heat utilization

Carbon dioxide above the critical point (31°C, 73.8 bar) has a number of advantages when used in thermodynamic cycle processes. These cyclic processes achieve higher efficiencies and a significant reduction in the size and complexity of the individual componen­ts. This enables the more efficient utilisation of industrial (waste heat), geothermal and solar heat sources as well as thermal energy storage systems.

More

Efficient thermal se­paration processes

Thermal se­paration processes such as rectification, distillation, absorption, desorption and extraction are central unit operations in chemical process industries. The vapor-liquid se­paration processes are ­very energy-intensive, since they involve multiple sequences of evaporation and condensation.

More