Revolutionary chlorine technology: paving the way for sustainable chemistry!

Revolutionary chlorine technology: paving the way for sustainable chemistry!

A promising research project at the Free University of Berlin could revolutionize the production and use of chlorine. The team around Prof. Dr. Sebastian Hasenstab-Riedel presents a new chlorine technology that is particularly environmentally friendly. This innovative project is supported by the Werner Siemens Foundation (WSS), which is providing 18 million euros over the next ten years. This collaboration aims to develop sustainable solutions for the chemical industry while optimizing resource use.

Chlorine is an essential chemical that is required in the production of over half of all chemical products. Every year, Germany produces around 5.5 million tons of chlorine, which accounts for 2.3 percent of total electricity consumption. However, the challenges in producing, storing and transporting chlorine gas are significant. Therefore, the research team developed a new technique to store chlorine in ionic liquids, which are liquid at room temperature. This simplifies the production and transport of chlorine from renewable electricity sources.

Future-oriented approaches

The emerging chlorine technology could help ensure that excess solar power in Central Europe is used to produce chlorine. This technology also makes it possible to produce and transport chlorine cost-effectively using solar energy in the global south. In addition to the advantages of producing chlorine, the process also generates hydrogen and caustic soda as valuable by-products. Prof. Hasenstab-Riedel and his team have identified four key topic areas for the further development of the chlorine storage platform.

• Urban Mining von Hightech-Metallen: Europa ist abhängig von Ländern wie China für wertvolle Metalle aus Elektromotoren, Windturbinen und Handys. Die neue Technologie könnte helfen, diese Metalle durch Recycling zurückzugewinnen.
• Aufschließen von Biomasse: Jährlich entstehen 4 Millionen Tonnen Glycerin und 100 Millionen Tonnen Lignin. Ionische Flüssigkeiten könnten dazu genutzt werden, diese Abfälle in nützliche Materialien umzuwandeln.
• Umwandlung von Altlasten und Batterien: Elektrochemische Verfahren könnten Chlor aus schädlichen Verbindungen wie Insektiziden und chlorierten Kunststoffen zurückgewinnen.
• Stationäre Speicherbatterien: Die Chlor-Plattform könnte auch zur Speicherung von Solar- oder Windenergie verwendet werden. Ionische Flüssigkeiten ermöglichen eine effizientere Energienutzung.

Another critical aspect of the research concerns the safe storage and electrolysis of hydrogen chloride (HCl). This product, an important by-product of the chemical industry, represents a valuable resource for hydrogen and chlorine production. The new technology allows HCl to be securely bound in the form of bichlorides, making handling and transport much easier. According to an article published in Science Advances, these developments hold great promise for the future of the energy supply and chemical industries.

The promising chlorine technology could hold a key to a more sustainable future. The combination of renewable energy, efficient use of resources and innovative storage methods shows how new chemical approaches can contribute to reducing the industry's ecological footprint. Loud fu-berlin.de This initiative is supported by the Werner Siemens Foundation, which has been supporting innovation projects in technology and natural sciences since 2003. The research results could lay the foundations for a more environmentally friendly chemical industry.

The developments not only offer new perspectives for chlorine production, but could also promote important alliances in the industry that promote sustainable practices. The features of this technology have the potential to sustainably transform the chemical industry in Europe and beyond.

For a more detailed look at the topics and technology, please visit the website Werner Siemens Foundation and chemistry.de.