As part of the METHAREN project, we interviewed Ms. Meire Domingos, leader of work package 4, and Postdoctoral Researcher at EPFL.
Background
Q.: Could you share your professional journey up to the METHAREN project?
Ms. Meire Domingos: I am a Chemical Engineer with expertise in the synthesis, optimization, and integration of industrial, chemical, and power generation processes. My work focuses on biorefineries, Power-to-X-to-Power technologies, synthetic fuels, and energy system modeling. Currently, I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in the IPESE group. I hold a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from the Polytechnic School of the University of São Paulo and a Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Brasília.
Role in the project
Q.: Could you share the main aims of the work you are leading in METHAREN?
Ms. Meire Domingos: In METHAREN, I am leading the fourth work package (WP), i.e. WP4 – Circularity and intermittency management. The main objectives of WP4 are:
– Investigate the circularity and intermittency management of the METHAREN system;
– Development the Energy Management System (EMS) and Solid Oxide Electrolyzer Cell (SOEC) optimisation software.
Progress and Challenges
Q.: What is the progress achieved so far for WP4?
Ms. Meire Domingos: The first version of the EMS was developed by EPFL, considering the modelling of each brick and of the energy supply systems (non- and renewable sources) along with intermittency handling strategies. The SOEC model to predict the response outlet to the inlet operating conditions has been developed and validated as well.
In addition, the experimental tests for the recovery of water from hydrothermal carbonisation liquor has been done by AWAM, along with the water management system simulations aiming at maximising the reuse of water sources in METHAREN’s pilot plant. The procurement of all water purification components was also done.
Q.: Have you encountered any challenges along the way?
Ms. Meire Domingos: Two main technical challenges have been ecnountered:
– The EMS is based on the design cases and some representative models for each brick. Some actions to better extrapolate the operating conditions and minimise the uncertainties have been considered such as: worse scenarios for the design cases, the development of models to capture non-linearities and model validation based on the experimental data reported by the partners;
– The optimisation of the water network has been done considering multiple contaminants and physicochemical water properties. Lumped parameters have been considered to address this issue.
Next steps
Q.: What are the next activities planned for you and for EPFL overall in METHAREN?
Ms. Meire Domingos: Next steps for EPFL and WP4 include:
– Analysis and optimisation of the circularity, SOEC and EMS for METHAREN’s pilot;
– Simulation of other relevant case studies of the EMS and the water management system are being investigated.