CHESS - "CCUS & Hydrogen Systems Engineering School"

The “CCUS & Hydrogen Systems Engineering School” doctoral program – CHESS was selected from numerous applications because it is the only proposal structured around five interconnected and comprehensively coordinated individual dissertations (PhDs) based in the departments of Energy Systems Engineering, Energy Geosciences, Iron and Steel Metallurgy, Physical Chemistry, and Process Engineering for Industrial Environmental Protection.

To coordinate the individual theses, a common data and scenario framework is being established so that all dissertations use consistent assumptions and boundary conditions. Regular coordination of the Doctoral School’s work generates continuous feedback loops that would not occur in individual research efforts, thereby representing the project’s true added value: insights from technological analyses feed into the energy system model, while conversely, the systemic analysis provides requirements for technologies, storage options, or process parameters. This creates an interdisciplinary research framework that allows for a well-founded evaluation of the complementary roles of green gases/H₂ and CCUS and the derivation of robust transformation pathways. Coordination of the PhD theses takes place every four to six weeks, with faculty involvement at least quarterly. Faculty members are expected to provide mutual mentoring for dissertations in accordance with the MUL doctoral regulations.

PhD1 - Dissertation Concept “Energy Systems”: The dissertation in the field of energy systems analyzes how H₂- and CCUS-based decarbonization strategies influence the structure of the future energy system. The focus is on changes in final energy demand, the requirements for energy and material infrastructures (H₂, CO₂, and electrical grids), the need for and use of storage technologies (geological storage of renewable gases such as H₂, geological CO₂ storage, chemical and electrical energy storage), as well as the resulting total system costs. This will be presented in a holistic, cross-sectoral energy system model that maps regional structures such as industrial clusters, potential storage sites, and transport corridors.

PhD2 - Dissertation Concept “Geological Storage”: The PhD2 builds on the findings and research questions identified in PhD1 regarding the optimization of energy and material infrastructures—specifically concerning system costs, expected energy and material flows, etc.— and aims to develop a “subsurface spatial planning” strategy for the optimal use of geological storage complexes for different storage fluids (e.g., CO₂ vs. H₂ vs. other “green” gases or energy carriers). The aim here is also to provide decentralized solutions in regions with high demand that do not have conventional gas storage potential in depleted hydrocarbon fields (e.g., Burgenland).

PhD3 - Concept Dissertation “Iron and Steel Metallurgy”: The dissertation in the field of iron and steel metallurgy examines the future role of arc-based technologies in the transformation of the hard-to-abate steel industry. Due to changes in feedstocks and new process concepts, both established facilities such as the electric arc furnace (EAF) and innovative technologies such as the smelter (ESF) or breakthrough approaches such as hydrogen plasma smelting reduction (HPSR) are gaining in importance. The dissertation thus makes a significant contribution to understanding the technological, energy, and material requirements of future electrified steelmaking processes within the framework of the Doctoral School.

PhD4 - Dissertation Proposal “Carbon Management in the Chemical Industry - Material: Oxide-based catalysts can significantly contribute to increasing the efficiency of the reverse water-gas shift reaction (rWGS) by facilitating the activation of CO₂ and H₂ and thus accelerating their conversion to synthesis gas. These catalysts are characterized by their high thermal stability and  resistance to deactivation mechanisms, making them particularly suitable for use in high-temperature processes. Thus, new highly efficient oxide-based catalysts make an important contribution to the development of sustainable technologies in the field of carbon management and the transformation of energy systems.

PhD5 - Dissertation Proposal “Carbon Management in the Chemical Industry - Process”: A key reaction for utilizing CO₂ in CCU processes is the reverse water-gas shift
reaction (rWGS), in which CO₂ is reduced to CO in the presence of a catalyst and H₂. The synthesis gas (CO-H₂) obtained in this way serves as a platform for the production of chemicals and renewable liquid fuels. The rWGS catalysts developed as part of PhD4 are being experimentally investigated and evaluated in the new high-temperature catalysis facility of the Department of Process Engineering. To date, there is a lack of data on the influence of higher process pressures, information on long-term stability and coke formation, as well as an assessment of the dynamic behavior of the rWGS reaction. Therefore, this dissertation, conducted within the framework of the Doctoral School, makes a significant technological contribution to CCU processes in the context of carbon management.