MSc thesis: 30 hp. Transport of hydrogen energy: Methanol & dimethyl ether

Scania is one of the leading European manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles. The 2024 global sales were 96'400 trucks, 11'200 engines and 5'600 buses, with 45 % of the total outside Europe. When it comes to global warming, we already contribute to the necessary reduction of fossil CO2 emissions with a portfolio of solutions for electrification, biofuels and hydrogen fuel, to serve different customer needs in different sales regions.

Background:

The fuel energy of low-carbon hydrogen from renewable or nuclear sources or from geologic reservoirs ("natural hydrogen") can be transported via carbon-containing methanol (MeOH) and its derivative dimethyl ether (DME). Both are established bulk chemicals and are produced from hydrogen and CO2. MeOH is liquid at +15 °C and 0 bar-gauge, DME can be liquid from -25 °C at 0 bar-g to +65 °C at 15 bar-g. MeOH and DME offer a comparatively high energy density, are transported in cheap tanks and can be used with existing infrastructure. In case of DME, the infrastructure for LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas, LPG: Propane + butane) can be repurposed. The downside of climate-friendly MeOH and DME is the need for circular carbon via recycled CO2.

Possible CO2 sources are, ranked from cheap to expensive: (i) Stationary Carbon Capture from power stations or industrial furnaces (ii) Mobile Carbon Capture from ships, locomotives or road tractors (iii) Direct Air Capture from the atmosphere. In case of Mobile Carbon Capture, combi tanks for fuel outwards and CO2 backwards shall be applied, to reduce dead mileage. CO2 is liquid at e. g. -50 °C and 6 bar-g with a high density of 1.15 kg/liter, what makes it comparatively cheap to transport in mobile tanks.

In this M.Sc. thesis project (30 hp) for one or two students, the fuel energy transport cost [money / energy] between hydrogen production outlet and vehicle tank inlet shall be elaborated for MeOH and DME. The cost for the feedstocks hydrogen and CO2 are inputs to this thesis.

In addition, the greenhouse gas emissions from leakage of hydrogen and DME during gas processing and from CO2 due to incomplete carbon capture shall be investigated.

Target:

The outcome shall be a public English thesis with a techno-economic assessment of the fuel energy transport cost and supply chains for methanol and dimethyl ether. The thesis shall also serve as technical report for Traton, thus for the companies International, MAN T&B, Scania and Volkswagen T&B.

Assignment:

Literature research on supply cost for low-carbon hydrogen, for recycled CO2 via stationary and mobile carbon capture and for extracted atmospheric CO2.

Literature research on the syntheses of MeOH and DME with hydrogen and CO2 as feedstocks.

Investigation of technology and cost for tank ships, tank cars, tank trailers and refuelling stations for MeOH and DME.

Elaboration of technology and cost of a supply chain for MeOH and DME, between hydrogen production outlet and vehicle tank inlet.

Parameter variation of the fuel energy cost "into vehicle tank" [money / energy] for MeOH and DME, depending amongst others on the cost for hydrogen production and CO2 supply, which are inputs to the investigation.

Elaboration of the greenhouse gas emissions from leakage of hydrogen, DME and CO2.

Presenting and reporting of the intermediate and final results.

Education & organisation:

Studies: Chemical Engineering, energy engineering, industrial engineering.

Is a must: Knowledge of chemical processes, thermodynamics, engineering economics.

Is a bonus: Knowledge of methanol synthesis and of DME synthesis.

Number of students: One or two.

Start of work: 2025-09-01

Estimated duration: 22 weeks, until 2026-01-30. In average min. 2 office-days per week

Language of work: English, Swedish

Location of work: Södertälje, Stockholm County, Sweden

Students from outside Stockholm County can rent a subsidized Scania apartment in Södertälje.

Per student, payment before taxes: 20'000 SEK at the start, 20'000 SEK after the final report was approved by Scania.

Per student, travel expenses: 1 to 2 roundtrips between study location and Södertälje.

Contact persons and supervisors:

Antonius Kies, Energy Economy / Range. Tel. 0046 8 553 - 724 24

Anders Jensen, Energy Economy. Tel. 0046 8 553 - 859 13

Application:

Please enclose personal letter, CV and the list of grades from the latest M.Sc. studies.

The applications will be checked continuously.

A background check and security interview will be conducted for this position.

Publication date

Until the position is staffed or latest until 2025-06-01.