Back to results
US 7,867,300 B2Granted
Ammonia-based hydrogen generation apparatus and method for using same
AssigneeIntelligent Energy Limited
InventorsAnand Chellappa, Michael Roy Powell
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present disclosure provides teachings relating to ammonia-based hydrogen generation apparatus and associated methods of use. Exemplary methods and apparatus comprise a thermocatalytic hydrogen generation reactor which includes a reaction chamber containing a catalyst-coated substrate, and a combustion chamber containing a catalyst-coated substrate. Exemplary catalyst-coated substrates include, but are not limited to, metal foam, monolith, mesh, ceramic foam or ceramic monolith.
Claims14
A method for generating hydrogen comprising:
- introducing only ammonia into a reaction chamber of a thermocatalytic hydrogen generation reactor, the reactor including a top plate, a bottom plate and a reactor core sandwiched therebetween, together defining a reaction chamber and a combustion chamber disposed between the top and bottom plates and separated by the reactor core, the reactor core having a reaction surface and a combustion surface, each surface having a raised periphery defining opposing ends and opposing sides, and the reaction core having a first set of spaced apart fins extending outwardly from the reaction surface to and in contact with the top plate and a second set of spaced fins extending outwardly from the combustion surface, the first set of fins defining a first plurality of reaction channels and the second set of fins defining a second plurality of combustion channels;
- said reaction chamber and combustion chamber being in a conduction heat exchange relationship with each other via said reactor core, the reaction chamber contains a catalyst on a support matrix;
- supplying heat to the reactor;
- decomposing at least 99.9% of the ammonia in the reactor at a temperature of between about 550° and to about 650° C. into a reaction product containing substantially only hydrogen and nitrogen and residual ammonia;
- and
- removing the reaction product from the reactor.
3 more elements
A method for generating hydrogen comprising:
- introducing only ammonia into a reaction chamber of a thermocatalytic hydrogen generation reactor, the reactor including a top plate, a bottom plate and a reactor core sandwiched therebetween, together defining a reaction chamber and a combustion chamber disposed between the top and bottom plates and separated by the reactor core, the reactor core having a reaction surface and a combustion surface, each surface having a raised periphery defining opposing ends and opposing sides, and the reaction core having a first set of spaced apart fins extending outwardly from the reaction surface to and in contact with the top plate and a second set of spaced fins extending outwardly from the combustion surface, the first set of fins defining a first plurality of reaction channels and the second set of fins defining a second plurality of combustion channels;
- said reaction chamber and combustion chamber being in a conduction heat exchange relationship with each other via said reactor core, wherein an ammonium decomposition catalyst is coated on at least one internal surface of the reaction chamber;
- supplying heat to the reactor;
- decomposing at least 99.9% of the ammonia in the reactor at a temperature of between about 550° and to about 650° C. into a reaction product containing substantially only hydrogen and nitrogen and residual ammonia;
- and
- removing the reaction product from the reactor.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.