Fraunhofer researchers have developed a new recycling process for Carbon monoxide-rich exhaust gases from steel plants. They successfully produced fuel and specialty chemicals from these exhaust gases on a laboratory scale.
Fraunhofer has developed a process by which exhaust fumes can be reclaimed and recycled into fuels and specialty chemicals. With the aid of genetically modified bacterial strains, the research team ferments the gas into alcohols and acetone, convert both substances catalytically into an intermediary diesel product, and from this they produce kerosene and special chemicals. Participants include the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecology IME in Aachen, as well as the Institute for Environment, Safety and Energy Technology UMSICHT in Oberhausen and the Institute for Chemical Technology ICT in Pfinztal. The technology came about during one of Fraunhofer’s internal preliminary research projects and through individual projects with industrial partners. The patented process currently operates on a laboratory scale.
In the next stage, the scientists strive to demonstrate that their technology also works with large quantities. “Over the next one-and-a-half years, we aim at gaining a better understanding of the processes, and to optimise them. Our goal is to apply for certification processes for the fuels. For vehicle diesel, that takes about one year, and for kerosene about three years”, chemists at Axel Kraft, UMSICHT, add.
