Ammonia Cracking using Catalytic Static Mixers (CSM)

The project leverages the multi-disciplinary expertise available at CSIRO in flow chemistry, static mixer technology, catalyst development and deposition/coating knowhow to create a new generation of structured catalytic devices for the generation of hydrogen from ammonia in chemical flow reactors.

CSIRO has shown the utility of catalytic static mixers (CSM) for hydrogenation reactions for the chemical and fine chemical industry.

CSIRO has extended and demonstrated the utility of the CSM approach to the hydrogen economy by successfully demonstrating the generation of hydrogen from LOHC (MCH and Formates). This is a key technical milestone as CSIRO progresses towards a demonstrator unit which would be a significant step to commercial adoption.

CSIRO will extend the CSM concept to evaluate hydrogen reforming from ammonia, which is developing into a key hydrogen fuel source.

 

The project will involve the manufacture and testing of structured CSM’s with a range of catalysts for the hydrogen reformation of ammonia.   Stainless steel static mixers will be made using Lab22’s electron beam 3d printing technology. Coatings will be applied to them by a range of techniques including dip coating and electroplating. Catalysts will be sourced that are specific to ammonia cracking. Validation will be conducted on CSIRO’s chemical reactors at the FloWorks facilities. Key experimental activities will be directed at understanding how reaction parameters, catalyst type, structure and static mixer coating method effects catalyst activity, and hydrogen yields with the end goal being to show that this technology can be a commercial option for ammonia cracking.

For more information, please contact Dr. John Chiefari