Abstract: The Hydrogen and Hydrogen Isotopes Technology Branch (formerly known as Chemical Engineering Branch) holds expertise and facilities that are focused on the development of energy technologies that make a beneficial impact on Canada’s use of clean energy. This capability area helps to ensure a clean and healthy environment for Canadians through development and use of clean energy technologies, and with securing options for Canada’s future energy needs and sustainability through nuclear technology.
Some of the main capability areas are: 1) heavy water (D2O) production and management, 2) tritium handling, separation and management, 3) hydrogen safety and control, 4) hydrogen production processes based on nuclear and renewable energy sources, 5) energy storage strategies, and 6) catalyst and polymer applications.
The presentation at this workshop will focus on activities in energy storage areas, specifically on the development of hydrogen production using the Copper-Chlorine thermochemical process and High Temperature Steam Electrolysis (HTSE), fuel cell components and beta batteries. In these areas of development, AECL collaborates with national and international R&D and commercial organizations and universities. Some of the recent advancements demonstrated in our laboratories have placed Canada in a leadership role internationally. AECL’s specific capabilities in the fabrication of catalytic and electrolytic components, facilities such as specialized glove boxes, bench-top and pilot-scale test rigs and core expertise in electrochemistry and chemical engineering are uniquely suited for development activities in energy storage technologies. The new Hydrogen Laboratory at AECL houses much of these capabilities.
Bio-Sketch: Sellathurai (Sam) Suppiah, BSc (Chemical Engineering), Ph.D., PEng
Suppiah is currently the manager of the Hydrogen Isotopes Technology Branch at Atomic Energy of Canada Limited. He has more than 30 years of expertise in the areas of Heavy Water and Tritium, Catalysis, Electrolysis Cell technologies, Fuel Cell technologies, Nuclear and non-Nuclear Battery technologies, Hydrogen Production from High and Medium Temperature Thermochemical Processes and Steam Electrolysis.
Suppiah has been leading collaborations in many of the above areas with industry, institutes and universities. He is the Canadian delegate for the GEN IV VHTR Hydrogen Production Project Management Board. He is also a board member of the Canadian Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (CHFCA). He has been a regular presenter at IAEA’s technical meetings on Hydrogen Production and other national and international meetings.
His branch consists of chemical and mechanical engineers, electrochemists and chemical technologists working in technology developments in the above areas.
