Development of an ammonia reformer combined with a hydrogen separator

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K06774
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Structural/Functional materials
• Research Institution: Ehime University
• Principal Investigator: Itagaki Yoshiteru 愛媛大学, 理工学研究科(工学系), 教授 (30325146)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 八尋 秀典 愛媛大学, 理工学研究科(工学系), 教授 (90200568)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 水素エネルギー / セラミック材料 / 水素透過膜 / アンモニア

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to achieve a hydrogen separator with ammonia reforming substrate, 1) a proton-electron mixed conductor consisting of ceramics was developed, 2) formation of dense and thin film of proton conductor was challenged, and 3) finally the catalytic substrate for ammonia decomposition was constructed. The BCY-GDC (weight ratio=1:1) mixed sinter exhibited a good hydrogen permeability. BCY thin films as a proton conductor having a thickness of 10 micrometers were successfully prepared by means of electrophoretic deposition. The BCY films were formed on Ni-BCY substrate and densified by sintering at 1450oC. However, Ni grains in the Ni-BCY substrate were significantly coarsened by the sintering process. Adding GDC into Ni-BCY effectively suppressed the Ni grain growth and increased electric conductivity of the substrate.

Free Research Field

電気化学、材料化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

水素を利用する分散型電源の実現に向けて、その場で水素を製造し、分離する技術の開発が急務となっている。本研究は次世代の水素キャリヤーの一つであるアンモニアに着眼し、水素製造と分離分離技術の開発を行った。その結果、電気泳動堆積法を用いることで水素を透過させるためのセラミックプロトン導電膜の緻密薄膜の作製に成功した。さらに、高温焼結時のアンモニア分解基体中のNiの粒成長を抑制することに成功した。これらの成果により、アンモニア分解と水素分離を同時に行うことができるデバイス開発の指針を得た。