Ammonia Adsorbent Studies

PROJECT NUMBER: 23

AUTHOR: Hope Wikoff, Chemical and Biological Engineering | MENTOR: Douglas Way, Chemical and Biological Engineering

ABSTRACT

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While our Palladium CMRs can produce Hydrogen to a 100-1000 ppm( of NH3) level purity, hydrogen fuel cells require a purity of <0.1 ppm of NH3. Our Solution to this problem is the use of Ammosorb, a cost effective, eco-friendly, reusable absorbent that will remove the ammonia contaminants. It’s use can reduce the contaminant ammonia more than 10,000 times, indicating that this will be more than sufficient in reducing the contamination to fuel cell requirement levels, and can be reused in subsequent trials to practically 100% capacity.

VISUAL PRESENTATION

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AUTHOR BIOGRAPHY

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Doing research in the lab is the highlight of Hope’s day, and over the last 9 months, she has grown as a scientist in ways she could never have predicted. 10 months ago she applied to work as an undergraduate researcher in Wolden Laboratories, working on a project focused on producing thin film Palladium membranes to catalyze the reaction of ammonia to Nitrogen and Hydrogen gas and then separate out the hydrogen gas for green energy applications. Hope understood nothing going in to this project, but from the beginning she knew she would loved the process. Trying, failing, brainstorming, modifying and trying again: this was an environment of constant adaptation, an environment she’s fallen in love with.
In the coming year Hope looks forward to applying to graduate schools. Her interests in Chemistry and Green Energy will no doubt continually lead back to membrane science, and 9 months have truly convinced her of the importance of Membrane separations in industry. She yearn to further her knowledge about Membrane applications as well as create professional connections with others under a common goal of making the earth a greener place.

Sponsored by Phillips 66