Ion-exchange membranes for water desalination and energy conversion applications
Dr Christian Linnartz, Senior Research Associate, Chemical Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University
Dr Robert Keller, Research Group Leader, Chemical Process Engineering, RWTH Aachen University
Abstract
The increasing share of renewable electricity favors an electrification of the chemical industry. Electrochemical conversion and separation technologies are directly driven by electricity and currently receive much attention. High performance ion-exchange membranes are a key component in processes like flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) or electrochemical CO2 reduction (eCO2RR). In this talk, we will briefly cover the fundamentals of ion-exchange membranes. Subsequently, we will highlight current developments of ion-exchange membranes for FCDI and eCO2RR. Amongst other topics, we will cover how surface engineering can reduce water cross-over, facilitate electro-convection, and how the choice of ion-exchange membrane influences the process design in electrochemical CO2 reduction.
Biographies
Dr Christian Linnartz
Christian Linnartz obtained his B.Sc. in mechanical engineering and M.Sc. in chemical process engineering from RWTH Aachen University, Germany. During his master’s he joined Prof. Youri Gendel at Technion, Israel where he started to work on electrochemistry and Capacitive Deionization. In 2021 he received his PhD with Prof. Matthias Wessling focusing on flow-electrode capacitive deionization (FCDI) documented in several pathbreaking publications. He is an expert in ion-exchange membrane processes and related membrane technologies. Currently he is a senior research associate for electrochemical desalination and founder of two start-ups, including flex-X-cell providing standardized cells for the scale-up of electrochemical processes and Amovion commercializing FCDI technology.
Dr Robert Keller
Robert Keller obtained his Diploma in mechanical engineering from RWTH Aachen University, Germany. He started his professional life at BASF, Germany as research engineer in the research team for heat transfer, evaporators and condensers. Afterwards, he joined the research group of Prof. Matthias Wessling at RWTH Aachen University to pursue his PhD in the field of electrochemical biomass valorization and graduated in 2021. He spent time in Prof. Vicki Chen’s group at UNSW Sydney and Prof. Bryan McCloskey’s group at UC Berkeley. Since 2021 he is group leader for Electrochemical Process Engineering & Biomass Valorization in Prof. Wessling’s group. His group focuses on electrochemical processes for CO2 reduction, nitrogen activation, water electrolysis, advanced oxidation processes, but also the electrochemical conversion of bio-based feedstock.