EIMRA Targets Separation Technologies for Sustainable Energy Systems

A significant part of European membrane research is focused on the separation technologies required for clean and sustainable energy systems. To speed up current developments, five leading energy research centres have decided to consolidate and strengthen their collaboration in the field of membrane technology by signing a Memorandum of Understanding.

The European Inorganic Membrane Research Alliance (EIMRA) aims to facilitate the transition from basic research to applications. In this way, EIMRA will contribute to the worldwide effort to enhance industrial efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Collaboration with industrial partners is of eminent importance for this alliance. EIMRA seeks to support the industrial implementation of membrane technology by contributing its expertise through the development and realization of membrane pilots and systems. Planned activities are the development of novel membrane materials, manufacturing technologies and processes for membrane modules, and the integration of components into systems.

Another goal is that EIMRA should become the single entry point of contact for industry at a European level. EIMRA comprises leading membrane technology groups from the Energy Research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN), the Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy in Denmark (DTU), the Flemish Institute for Technological Research in Belgium (VITO), SINTEF in Norway, and Forschungszentrum Jülich in Germany.

Inorganic (ceramic) membranes can be used in many separation processes in the chemical industry, for example for the production of hydrogen and liquid fuels from renewable sources. Other applications are found in carbon capture technology for fossil-fuel-based power plants. The relatively low energy consumption of membrane technology renders it a key component in a clean, green and sustainable energy system. (05/2010)