DFG Re­search Unit 1993

Multi-functional Conversion of Chemical Species and Energy“, Project „Mass spectrometric investigation of chemical conversion processes in flow reactors“

Flexibility in energy conversion and storage is becoming increasingly important - especially in view of the fluctuating availability of renewable energies. Established energy conversion processes are usually designed and optimized for a single type of energy conversion. As a result, they are often unable to absorb different forms of energy and provide different useful quantities flexibly. Engines, for example, have so far converted the chemical energy of the fuel into mechanical work. The aim of the FOR1993 was to research high-temperature processes in piston engines with flexible delivery of not only heat and work, but also base chemicals in the sense of polygeneration processes.

The sub-project “Mass spectrometric investigation of chemical conversion processes in flow reactors” dealt with the kinetic principles of material conversion processes. For this purpose, fuel-rich gas mixtures were converted in a flow reactor at temperatures below 1000°C and high pressure with the addition of reaction-accelerating additives and the product gas composition was determined using mass spectrometry and gas chromatography. The aims were to identify promising target chemicals for energy storage and to optimize their yield, as well as to provide validation data for reaction mechanisms developed in the research group.