Ammonia Hydrogen Generator with Dual Conversion Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrogen generators require high temperatures for ammonia decomposition, leading to large-scale hydrogen storage needs and operational challenges, especially at low temperatures, and existing ammonia-burning internal combustion engines and fuel cells face inefficiencies in hydrogen supply and storage.
Innovation Solution
A hydrogen generator system comprising a first ammonia conversion part with a hydrogen-generating material that reacts with ammonia at lower temperatures and a second ammonia conversion part with a catalyst that decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen at higher temperatures, allowing for hydrogen generation over a wide temperature range, with optional recycling and heat source integration for enhanced operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If a single ammonia conversion part using ammonia-decomposing catalyst is used, then hydrogen can be generated at high temperatures, but the system cannot operate efficiently at low temperatures and requires large-scale hydrogen storage
Solution Approach 1:
The ammonia conversion system is divided into two separate conversion parts: a first ammonia conversion part using a hydrogen-generating material for low-temperature operation, and a second ammonia conversion part using an ammonia-decomposing catalyst for high-temperature operation. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently generate hydrogen across a wide temperature range without requiring large-scale hydrogen storage capacity.
2Productivity
If ammonia-decomposing catalyst is used alone, then hydrogen generation is achieved, but the system complexity increases due to temperature control and storage requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments hydrogen generation into two pathways: low-temperature reaction in the first conversion part and high-temperature catalytic decomposition in the second conversion part. This segmentation simplifies the overall system by allowing each part to operate independently at its optimal temperature range, reducing the complexity of temperature control and hydrogen storage management.
3Volume of stationary object
If hydrogen storage capacity is reduced, then system size decreases, but hydrogen supply consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dual conversion part system provides continuous hydrogen supply across different temperature ranges, eliminating the need for large hydrogen storage volumes. The first conversion part operates at low temperatures while the second operates at high temperatures, ensuring consistent hydrogen generation regardless of temperature fluctuations, thus maintaining supply reliability with minimal storage requirements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient hydrogen production from ammonia across a wide temperature range, reducing storage needs and improving the operational efficiency of ammonia-burning internal combustion engines and fuel cells by providing consistent hydrogen supply, while also simplifying the hydrogen generator's operation and enhancing regeneration processes.
Implementation Method 1
a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen
Implementation Method 2
a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range
Implementation Method 3
an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range
Implementation Method 4
the heat source is the combustion/oxidation heat arising from the combustion/oxidation of hydrogen generated in the first and/or second ammonia conversion parts
Data Source
AI summary
A hydrogen generator that can be operated in a broad temperature range is disclosed, which comprises a first ammonia conversion part having a hydrogen-generating material which reacts with ammonia in a first temperature range so as to generate hydrogen; a second ammonia conversion part having an ammonia-decomposing catalyst which decomposes ammonia into hydrogen and nitrogen in a second temperature range; an ammonia supply part which supplies ammonia; and an ammonia supply passage which supplies ammonia from said ammonia supply part to the first and second ammonia conversion parts. The first temperature range includes temperatures lower than the second temperature range, and hydrogen is generated from ammonia by selectively using the first and second ammonia conversion parts. An ammonia-burning internal combustion engine and a fuel cell having the hydrogen generator are also disclosed.