Funding
Funded
Advancing Hydrogen Economy: Catalytic Decomposition of Ammonia Using Induction Heating on Magnetic Catalyst Nanoparticles
School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering | PHD
Applications are now CLOSED
Reference Number
SCCE-2024-029
Application Deadline
26 January 2024
Start Date
1 October 2024
Overview
Hydrogen can carry energy to many hard-to-decarbonise sectors with no greenhouse gas emissions at the point of use, giving hydrogen a valuable role in a net zero energy system. A major obstacle towards a hydrogen economy is the associated supply, storage, and distribution. Hydrogen gas has a low volumetric energy density and using pressurised vessels as the means of its storage and distribution introduces their own unique challenges. Consequently, there has been a focus on developing liquid ‘hydrogen carriers’ that can use the existing liquid fuel infrastructure and can be reformed onboard to generate hydrogen gas. Ammonia is seen as a promising candidate since it can be liquified under mild conditions, has a high hydrogen content (17.6 w%) and a high volumetric energy density, (12.8 GJ m-3). While NH3 can be used directly in combustion engines or in high-temperature electrochemical systems, it cannot be used in low-temperature polymer-based fuel cells like those found, for instance, in commercially available vehicles.
As such, it is necessary to develop a robust process for its decomposition to N2 and H2. The issue with current ammonia decomposition options lies with its endothermicity which means high temperatures are required (>600°C), and limits the efficiency of the technology.
The electromagnetic induction heating (IH) or radio frequency (rf) heating of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) is a promising method of overcoming issues with heat transfer limitation and energy efficiency when working with an endothermic reaction such as ammonia decomposition. This is due to the fact that the heat is generated directly where it is needed (i.e. at the level of the catalytic nanoparticle) thus bypassing the need to heat the substrate (if any), liquid/ gaseous carriers and reagents, or the reactor walls. IH occurs almost instantaneously on the target sample without appreciable thermal inertia and with heating efficiency considerably higher than those provided by conduction/convection/radiation schemes.
In this project we will investigate the catalytic decomposition of NH3 using induction heating on catalytically active magnetic nanoparticles. This will encompass different aspects of material development, catalyst preparation and characterisation, reactor design and catalytic experiment. It provides a timely and exciting challenge as we strive to realise targets towards achieving a net zero carbon economy.
Funding Information
** Funding for this project studentship is not guaranteed. Applicants for this and a number of other projects will be in competition for studentships funded by the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy (DfE)**
Full eligibility (including residency conditions) and funding information can be viewed via https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/department-economy-studentships
Candidates must possess or expect to obtain, a 2:1 or first-class degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or closely related discipline
Candidates must be available to start the post by October 2024
Project Summary
Supervisor
Dr Danai Poulidi
Mode of Study
Full-time: 3 years
Funding Body
DfE