A promising technology investigated at the Institute of Energy Technologies – Fundamental Electrochemistry (IET-1) is the Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC), which enables the energy efficient production of syngas using co-electrolysis – Turning CO2 and H2O into the CO- and H2-rich syngas, which serves as the base of carbon-neutral commodity chemical, E-fuel or sustainable aircraft fuel production.

Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is a tested technology to turn syngas into a wide range of synthetic liquid hydrocarbons. Nowadays, the shift from fossil to renewable carbon feedstocks, is necessary for the chemical industry and can be achieved by combining the SOEC technology with FTS, while using biogas as a feedstock. To determine the economic viability, energy- and carbon efficiency of this process, rigid process simulations of a realistic biogas-fed 40-kW Reformer-SOEC-FTS system, the selection of optimal process parameters and clever heat integration are necessary.

Join our team Master Thesis – Simulation of a Biogas-fed Solid Oxide Electrolysis – Fischer Tropsch Synthesis System  

The objective of this thesis is to implement, analyse and optimize the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis in a biogas-fed Reformer-SOEC-FTS system. Your work will be to develop and validate a model of the entire FTS process in Aspen Plus, including reactions, separation and purification. Your model will then be coupled with an existing model of a 40-kW SOEC and reformer demonstrator unit. In a next step, you will conduct heat integration analysis and define optimal process parameters for this system. Depending on the final scope, you will also apply the system to typical load profiles of biogas-producing plants and perform a techno-economic analysis for this scenario.

Your Responsibilities Within the Team

• Literature review of Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process simulations
• Familiarisation with Aspen Plus modelling
• Implementation of an FTS process model in Aspen Plus, including reactions, product separation and purification
• Validation of your model using available literature data
• Coupling of your model with an existing 40 kW SOEC and reformer demonstrator model
• Heat integration within the Reformer-SOEC-FTS system
• Definition of system boundaries, operating cases and optimal operating conditions
• Applying realistic load profiles to the model
• Performing a techno-economic analysis
• Documentation and critical discussion of assumptions, methods and results
• Opportunity to contribute to further scientific work or a publication

Expected Results

The thesis should conclude in a rigid, validated simulation model of a coupled Reformer-SOEC-FTS process. The model should be able to handle a range of different operating parameters, point out limits of the system as well as determine optimal parameters regarding cost, energy or carbon efficiency for a heat integrated system.

• Currently pursuing a master’s degree in process engineering, energy engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering or a comparable field of study
• Strong interest in Power-To-X technologies, system optimization and process modelling
• Basic knowledge of chemical reaction engineering, thermodynamics and system-level energy balances
• Experience with process simulation software (especially Aspen Plus) is preferred 
• Knowledge of electrochemistry, high-temperature electrolysis (SOEC) and Fischer-Tropsch synthesis is beneficial
• Ability to take initiative and work independently
• Excellent collaboration and communication skills, as well as the ability to work as part of a team
• Very good command of written and spoken English with extensive vocabulary is required (at least B2 level according to the CEFR), ideally supported by a certificate confirming the language level. Knowledge of the German language is not mandatory but certainly appreciated