Expertise

The University of Antwerp is powering the electrification of chemical processes In addition to the well known research groups such as PLASMANT (Plasma Lab for Applications in Sustainability and Medicine - Antwerp), and ELCAT (Applied Electrochemistry & Catalysis), the University of Antwerp is now offering an additional engineering expertise to ensure the smooth deployment of energy efficient power-to-heat chemical processes.​ At ElectrifHy, we are offering an engineering expertise to ensure the smooth deployment of energy-efficient power-to-heat chemical processes. This unit, related to BlueApp, is dedicated to chemical reactor design (CFD and engineering models, from packed, [electrothermal] fluidized and simulated moving beds), prototyping and experimental characterization of heat & mass transfer of electrified processes (ohmic and induction heating, and the use of electrical field to enhance chemical conversion). It’s mission is to design and test electrified chemical reactors based on the power-to-heat concepts (e.g., induction, ohmic, shock-wave), provide guidelines for their scale-up, improve their energy efficiencies, elaborate temperature control strategies, as well as developing modular approaches to deal with the fluctuating nature of renewable electricity. In terms of applications, we cover both the production of value-added chemicals and hydrogen (e-cracking of green ammonia, biogas conversion, electrified steam methane reforming, methane pyrolysis, and [non-]oxidative coupling of methane), to its storage in Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC), solids (hydrates), and chemical carriers, focusing on the release of H2 and its purification.

Technique

The lab of Professor Patrice Perreault is equipped for the moment with a Sievert apparatus for hydrogen storage in solids (up to 100 bar, from -50 °C to 200 °C), a 300 mL Parr autoclave reactor, as well as various fluidized beds and swirling fluidized bed reactors, and centrifugal reactors for dehydrogenation experiments from Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHC). His hydrogen lab is also equipped with a Quadrupole Mass spectrometer, and a TCD detector for binary gas mixtures. In addition, as a professor in a Flemish University, he has access to the powerful Vlaams Supercomputer Centrum (VSC) for computational studies. As part of his research on process intensification of multiphase turbulent reacting flows and shape/topology optimisation, he will use OpenFoam coupled to Sandia National Laboratories Dakota optimisation toolbox (constrained shape optimisation with CFD). Being jointly responsible for the University of Antwerp pre-incubator for sustainable chemistry and materials “Blue App” (https://www.blueapp.eu/), Professor Perreault will soon start to buy/design/assemble all the tools required for the demonstration of valorisation projects (prototypes) and state of the art equipment.

Users

Chemical reactors are ubiquitous and form the core of industrial plants. Proper construction and operation of these reactors is essential for every processing plant, poorly designed reactors result in energy losses and unwanted by-products. The generation of these by-products then need further purification steps, which have a further inherent energy loss and possible emissions of pollutants to the environment. The petrochemical industry and post-consumer plastic companies could benefit from my expertise in chemical reactor design and chemical reaction engineering in general. Researchers lacking a strong engineering background or process intensification could also benefit.

Keywords

Process optimization, Packed bed reactor, Process intensification, Flow reactor, Computational fluid dynamics, Fluidized bed reactor, Hydrogen storage, Carbon dioxide, Chemical process

My research focuses on the modelling, simulation, and experimental design of thermochemical processes for sustainable energy conversion. I utilize computational tools such as Aspen Plus and OpenFOAM, as well as other software, to analyze and design energy systems that support the transition toward low-carbon technologies. My work blends fundamental and applied research in biomass pyrolysis, gasification, and co-combustion. My latest activities have focused on enhancing efficiency and checking if biomass- and coal-derived syngas can replace fossil fuels. I have worked on hydrogen integration, process decarbonization, and energy system optimization. My work tries to contribute to the development of cleaner and more efficient industrial operations.

Technique

My research employs analytical and experimental methods to study energy conversion processes. I work in thermodynamic modeling, process simulation, and numerical analysis of thermal and reactive systems related to renewable energy, biomass utilization, and industrial decarbonization. I use Aspen Plus® for process simulation, design, and energy and exergy analyses of systems such as biomass pyrolysis, gasification, and calcination. Through detailed reaction modeling (e.g., Ranzi mechanism), I analyze mass and energy balances, evaluate system efficiency, and optimize operating conditions. I use computational fluid dynamics (CFD) to assess combustion, fluid flow, and heat transfer. These simulations enable the analysis of gas-solid interactions and temperature profiles, among other variables.

Users

Academic and research institutions. Energy and process industries, including cement, steel, chemical, and fuel sectors, aim to reduce CO₂ emissions. Governmental and environmental agencies. Educational institutions and training centers.

Keywords

Fluid models, Experimental study