Advancing Next-Generation Membrane Reactors
The MEMETH project, supported by the EIC Transition program, marks a new step in bringing ZEFIRA’s membrane-reactor technology closer to industrial reality. Building on more than a decade of research in carbon molecular sieve membranes and intensified reactor design, ZEFIRA is using MEMETH to scale its next-generation reactors from lab prototypes toward conditions relevant for full-scale plants.
In conventional fuel-synthesis loops, conversion is limited by equilibrium and by-products that accumulate inside the reactor. The MEMETH concept combines catalytic synthesis with selective membrane separation, allowing certain molecules to be continuously removed during reaction. This intensification makes it possible to reach higher conversion at lower pressure, with less recycle and reduced energy demand compared to traditional processes. Within MEMETH, ZEFIRA is optimizing these modules for CO₂-derived feeds and targeting production routes for dimethyl ether (DME) and related intermediates for sustainable fuels.
Enabling Industrial Power-to-X Deployment
Over the course of the project, ZEFIRA’s goal is to demonstrate that these membrane reactors can operate reliably under realistic operating conditions and integrate into broader Power-to-X value chains. By coupling captured CO₂, green hydrogen, and electrified process units, the MEMETH system aims to unlock compact, modular plants that can be installed close to emission sources or renewable-power hubs.
For industrial partners in sectors such as chemicals, shipping, and aviation, this approach offers a pathway to defossilize fuel and feedstock production without relying solely on large, centralized plants. MEMETH is therefore an important bridge between laboratory innovation and practical deployment, helping to reduce technical risk and proving the value of ZEFIRA’s membrane-reactor platform for future commercial projects.
