Hydrogen is an energy carrier, a fuel, and a commodity. Currently, more than 90% of hydrogen is from fossil fuel reforming without carbon capture due to the cost and energy penalty of carbon capture. (Read more about our editorial article in Frontiers in Energy Research).
To decrease the energy penalty of carbon capture and storage, we are developing thermally and chemically integrated systems for hydrogen separation using inorganic mixed ionic-electronic conducting (MIEC) membranes. These MIEC materials also have outstanding catalytic performances for water splitting and ammonia synthesis to achieve green hydrogen production.
Our group is also exploring renewable ammonia production technologies to reduce carbon emissions. Renewable ammonia can be used for energy storage, marine transportation, and sustainable agriculture.
1) Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier
Ammonia is a versatile hydrogen carrier that can be used in different sectors, such as in agriculture, energy storage, and export. In my group, we study the use of ammonia for different sectors. Here are some examples.
Versatile ammonia uses
- Ammonia as a fuel for shipping and aviation: Opportunities, environmental benefits and risk
- Electrified ammonia production as a commodity and energy storage medium to connect the food, energy, and trade sectors
- The levelized cost of carbon abatement (LCCA) in substituting conventional ammonia production with power-to-ammonia for fertilizer, hydrogen and export
Decarbonized ammonia production
- Design and Analysis of an Offshore Wind Power to Ammonia Production System in Nova Scotia
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Cost benefit analysis of grid-based electrolytic ammonia production across Canadian provinces
2) Solid oxide fuel cells/electrolyzers/reactors
Our group also fabricates and tests solid oxide fuel cells/electrolyzers/reactors for different applications, such as power generation, hydrogen production, and carbon dioxide reduction. We have different fabrication techniques for ceramic processing.
One example of an electrode-supported cell is shown here.
3) Membrane-supported water splitting for hydrogen production
An MIEC oxygen permeable membrane can be used to facilitate water splitting for clean hydrogen production. A schematic is shown here:
XiaoYu gave a talk on the membrane-supported water splitting technology for hydrogen production. The recording is here: