CBI-Kolloquium mit Prof. Dr. Ulrike Krewer

Title: Model-assisted Analysis and Design of Electrochemical Technologies

Electrochemical technologies offer efficient and dynamic storage of electrical energy in batteries or – via electrolysis – in hydrogen. In addition, power-to-chemicals technologies, such as electrochemical CO2 conversion or production of expensive fine chemicals, promise a deep energy transition of the chemical industry. Almost all new electrochemical technologies, but also established ones, suffer from performance losses due to a lack of quantitative insight into processes in the cells. Modelling tools at higher levels are already well established and predictive, when it comes to heat and mass transfer, as these phenomena are widespread in (chemical) engineering. They struggle, however, to reproduce or predict the electrochemical behaviour of electrodes.
This talk covers established and upcoming electrochemical energy and power-to-chemical technologies, their application and state of development. The complexity and challenges of the technologies at electrode level are complemented by strategies how to formulate and parameterise suitable models. The models are then used to give insight into the many non-measurable processes or states, and for virtual design of better catalysts, electrodes, cells or operating conditions.