Welcome to the DARE2X interview series! In these brief chats, we introduce you to our project partners, exploring their roles in developing our innovative and decentralised ammonia (NH3) technology. Discover how this DARE2X solution will be made safe and learn about its numerous benefits for society. For this first interview, we spoke with our DARE2X coordinator, the Danish Technological Institute! 

The Danish Technological Institute is the DARE2X coordinator, in a consortium of world-leading research institutions, and innovative R&D-performing SMEs from different countries. Tell us a little bit about your group and research activities.
At Danish Technological Institute (DTI), our team of eight is diving headfirst into the DARE2X project, and we’re enjoying every minute of it. Our team consists of a diverse group of scientists. Christoffer, our team manager and nanoscience engineer, leads the team. Christian, our director and nanoscience engineer, is by our side to support the coordination of the team and all that it entails. Erlend, Inês, and Helene, our physical chemists, are always ready with new ideas and discussions. Jens-Peter, our chemist, puts in countless hours in the lab, testing and tweaking catalyst design. Simon, our material engineer, always has great tips to optimize processes. Anna, our electrical engineer, works her magic on high-voltage components, and Kresten, our trained welder and engineer, designs and builds our prototypes.

We’re working on catalyst research and bringing all the technical developments in the project together in the demonstration unit. It’s a lot of hard work, but we’re enjoying it. Coordinating a European-funded project adds another layer of complexity, but it’s also exciting. We’re learning so much from collaborating with our consortium partners.

One of our main focuses is developing prototypes that can make a real difference. This involves diverse expertise, great collaboration with our partners, and extensive research. We want our work on DARE2X to be part of the solution towards groundbreaking innovations in green ammonia.

Wanting to know more, could you provide more details about your organisation?
DTI is a leading Danish RTO with more than 100 years of experience and clients in 65 countries. DTI counts with high-technology infrastructures and world-class facilities and equipment within different areas such as energy and climate, food, biotechnology, materials, construction, and production. DTI is a key partner in ensuring that the green transition takes place in companies in terms of energy, materials, and foods.

Following up, in your opinion, which aspects of your research in DARE2X are the most innovative?
DTI is coordinating the project, leading the catalyst integration process and building the demonstration unit. We investigated different catalysts for the reaction and then incorporated what we learned in the building of a demonstration unit. We believe that the combination of a new catalyst, plasma catalysis and sorption unit is innovative and disruptive of the existent technology. Building the upscaled reactor proves the innovation of the concept and we are excited to be working on it.

One of the key pillars of implementing the DARE2X solution is to raise awareness about how our disruptive ammonia technology will be safe and sustainable. How will your contribution to DARE2X improve everyday life for society?
DARE2X demonstrates an alternative method for producing ammonia compared to the currently Haber Bosh centralized process. This new approach will allow us to maintain our everyday commodities while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This is because NH3 production is responsible for a vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, primarily due to the use of H2 derived from fossil fuels. Additionally, the current process is centralised and requires high temperatures and pressures.

At DTI we are building the demonstration unit that will showcase the possibilities of decentralised production of green ammonia. Our hope is that this demonstration will foster new development within decentralised ammonia synthesis and will accelerate the adaptation of green ammonia, an important step on the road towards the green transition.

Finally, the R&D, innovation, and demonstration of the DARE2X technology involve significant efforts and hard work in the consortium. What are the main challenges in your work in DARE2X?
Screening and preparing catalysts can be challenging. During the project, we tested multiple transition metals on various sorption supports, which required many hours in the lab and even more time researching the best preparation methods. It is indeed a lot of hard work!

In this new phase, we are building a plasma reactor, which involves engineering and safely handling high-voltage components, as well as effectively designing connections and tubing. We love this work! However, it is not without its difficulties. One of our main concerns as engineers and, in this case, coordinators is the safe handling of NH3 and potential secondary products. We want this demonstration to be part of the solution towards the safe, decentralised production of ammonia!