Description:
Reference #: 01348
The University of South Carolina is offering licensing opportunities for an Ammonia Decomposition Catalyst.
Background:
Ammonia can be used as a hydrogen storage and transportation material. It is a carbon-free molecule with high hydrogen density that can easily be decomposed to produce hydrogen and nitrogen. For hydrogen production, it is necessary to perform the decomposition reaction at relatively low temperatures and high conversions to be integrated into a PEM fuel cell system.
Invention Description:
The discovery of new materials that act as catalysts to decompose ammonia at low temperatures, in order to use ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material. These elements are very active for this reaction at moderate temperatures and are also less expensive and more abundant than the typical-Ruthenium based catalyst. There is an emerging market for hydrogen generation upstream of fuel cells.
Potential Applications:
Any mobile electronic, auxiliary power unit, stationary electronic, or powertrain that can use hydrogen fuel as either its main power source or as a backup power supply when disconnected from the national grid. This can also be used with metal ammine complexes that are used to safety transport ammonia. After the ammonia is released from the metal ammines, it can be decomposed over these catalysts to directly produce hydrogen.
Advantages and Benefits:
This invention can be used to provide high purity hydrogen at a lower catalyst cost, allowing the use of ammonia as an effective hydrogen source for many potential applications using hydrogen fuel. These catalysts set themselves apart from other reported compositions because they function very well at mild temperatures and over a wide range of pressures.