Liquid Ammonia Emerging as New Hydrogen Fuel Carrier
The Korea Institute of Science and Technology announced on Dec. 22 that it has developed a nano-metal catalyst for high-efficiency hydrogen extraction from ammonia.
Ammonia, which is a combination of nitrogen and hydrogen, has been used in fertilizers and industrial materials. Recently, it has been found that liquid ammonia’s hydrogen storage and transportation capacity is 150 percent of that of the same volume of liquid hydrogen, and liquid ammonia is emerging as a new hydrogen fuel carrier.
A chemical reaction is required for hydrogen extraction from ammonia. A ruthenium catalyst, which is a precious metal catalyst, is used to promote this reaction. Ruthenium is as expensive as 9.6 million won per kilogram and the price has led to an increase in hydrogen fuel unit cost.
The institute developed the novel and inexpensive catalyst by means of zeolite that has 2 nanometer pores. The catalyst, which has a fine amount of ruthenium particles in the pores, has increased the amount of hydrogen production 2.5-fold while using 60 percent less ruthenium.
“The unique zeolite structure has led to durability enhancement as well,” the institute explained, adding, “The durability problems of existing catalysts that have hindered commercial use can be resolved by means of the new catalyst.” Details of the research have been published in the latest edition of Applied Catalysis B-Environmental.