Project Info
*Catalytic membrane reactors for green hydrogen production by decomposition of ammonia
Doug Way
dway@mines.edu
Ammonia is an extremely promising, carbon-free vector for energy storage and transport. It can be synthesized using only water and air which is ideal for the chemical storage of renewable energy such as wind and solar. Liquid ammonia contains 17.7 weight % hydrogen, more than double that of compressed hydrogen gas. In this project, we are developing advanced catalytic membrane reactors (CMRs) that can decompose NH3 into H2 and N2 and simultaneously separate/purify the hydrogen product. This technology would be ideal for both large and small applications including energy export between countries (Australia is building large scale NH3 plants to export hydrogen to Japan) as well as distributed hydrogen production such as hydrogen fueling stations.
More Information:
Grand Challenge: Develop carbon sequestration methods
Published journal article from our group about the NH3 decomposition CMR: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Irdk1gN0SpteuotLs6Vxv3crfp6Pjo9w/view?usp=sharing
http://www.scientia.global/professor-colin-wolden-professor-douglas-way-saving-the-world-throughfertiliser-and-fuel/
Article from the literature about NH3 as an energy storage material: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Z4-tHMkWEo6RpxbbL8p-UDW3W0YiVSfL/view?usp=sharing
If these links don't work just email Prof. Way, and he can email them to you.
Primary Contacts:
Prof. Doug Way, Email: dway@mines.edu
Rok Sitar, graduate student, Email: @mymail.mines.edu
Student Preparation
Qualifications
At least junior standing in the Chemical and Biological Engineering Dept. by fall of 2021. Students must have successfully completed the CBE Material and Energy Balances course.
TIME COMMITMENT (HRS/WK)
4-5 hrs/week is sufficient but if the student's schedule allows for more time, we can pay them extra from our ARPA-E contract.
SKILLS/TECHNIQUES GAINED
Membrane and catalyst synthesis and characterization via electroless plating, membrane reactor performance measurements via mass spectrometer, gas chromatography, and FTIR sensors, materials characterization via SEM/TEM, XRD, and AFM.
MENTORING PLAN
The undergraduate student receiving the fellowship will work with existing graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the laboratory. We will have weekly meetings with Prof. Way, post-doctoral fellows, and the graduate students.
PREFERRED STUDENT STATUS
Junior
Senior