The University of Stuttgart is one of Germany’s leading technical universities with a strong reputation in engineering and natural sciences. In the ēQATOR project, the Institute of Technical Chemistry contributes expertise in catalysis and reaction engineering. By combining laboratory reforming experiments with kinetic studies and reactor modelling, the team provides essential insights for scaling up efficient and sustainable methanol production.
Learn more about the University of Stuttgart’s contribution to the ēQATOR project in the interview below, where Enes Caliskan shares insights into the university’s role, the experimental and modeling work driving reactor development, and the collaborative efforts shaping the future of renewable methanol production.
Enes Caliskan
Interview
Please introduce yourself and your role in the project.
My name is Enes Caliskan and I am a PhD student at the University of Stuttgart in the Institute of Technical Chemistry. I studied Chemistry at the Technical University of Munich, where I obtained both my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. Under the supervision of Prof. Elias Klemm, I focus on catalyst testing and modelling within the ēQATOR project.
How did you learn about the project and become a partner?
The project was already ongoing when I started my PhD. My predecessor had been working on it and I took over his role. After discussing the objectives with my supervisor and learning about its potential, it was a straightforward decision to join the project.
What is your organisation's role in the project, and what expertise do you bring to the table?
As a university we contribute our expertise in heterogeneous catalysis and reaction engineering. We perform laboratory experiments on dry reforming, steam reforming and mixed reforming, as well as catalyst coating on ceramic supports in WP2. In addition, we carry out kinetic studies and develop a reactor model in WP3. This combination of experimental and modelling work provides the data basis required for scaling up the process.
How is your organisation collaborating with other partners in the project?
We work closely with Johnson Matthey on catalyst development and testing, with MCI and KIB for ceramic components and we share results and insights with all project partners. This strong collaboration ensures that materials, data and process understandings are well aligned across the consortium.
How do your project activities contribute to the goal of the project to achieve a cost-competitive renewable methanol production with near zero CO₂ emissions?
By testing catalysts under different reforming conditions, optimizing the coating process and providing kinetic data and modelling, we contribute to making the reforming step more efficient and reliable. This reduces material and energy demand while enabling robust scale-up of the reactor system.
Regarding your tasks, what do you expect are or will be the greatest challenges during the project?
Understanding catalyst deactivation mechanisms remains an ongoing task, while investigating the limitations of mass and heat transfer in the reactor is another key challenge that directly impacts scalability and process efficiency. Establishing reliable parameters for these aspects will be essential for future industrial application.
If you had one wish regarding the project, what would it be?
I would like to see the project results not only lead to scientific publications but also adapted to different areas of renewable chemistry.