Cost is a Driver for H2 Production/Delivery Technology Selection
Large scale centralized hydrogen production integrated with hydrogen storage and transport is economically prohibitive.

Economically viable options for H2 production and usage for on-board fuel cells:
  • SOFCs: On-board point-of-use hydrogen reformers.
  • PEM Fuel Cells: High-Purity H2 extracted from existing processes where H2 is a substantial by product.
Ceramatec Technologies for H2 Generation and Recovery

Microreactors for High-H2 content syngas generation from hydrocarbon fuels.

  • On-board reformers for hydrocarbon fuels for fuel-cell auxiluary power units (APUs).
  • NSF-Funded Phase II SBIR Program.

Membrane based devices for Ultra high-purity hydrogen generation from Coal/Heavy Oil Gasification Systems.

  • Hydrogen recovery from Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle (IGCC) Systems.
  • DOE-Funded Phase II SBIR Program
Hydrogen Recovery From IGCC Systems using Mixed Protonic/Electronic Conductive Membranes
IGCC is an efficient, relatively clean, approach to coal combustion.

Syngas (mainly CO + H2) produced in IGCC has more than double the system requirements for H2.

High-temperature (800-900oC), high-pressure H2-rich gas (50-100 psi) readily available.

Hydrogen recovery IGCC syngas is attractive as it will provide cost-effective UHP H2 and enhance the commercial viability of IGCCs.

Substantial cost-share support from IGCC-Based Power Generation Company
Hydrogen Membrane Technology Status and Development Timeline

All-ceramic mixed-conductor development (DOE Phase II SBIR) Substantial leveraging of Ceramatec’s existing ITM-Oxygen Program.

Membranes with sufficient H2 flux demonstrated in Phase I for prototyping and scale up in Phase II.

Mixed conducting composite membranes:

  • Improved thermochemical stability in CO2-containing atmospheres
  • Improved protonic conductivity leading to higher hydrogen flux:
    (Goal: > 1 L/min through a 6” diameter membrane)
  • Ceramatec’s expertise in materials science R&D for similar products allows faster product development.
On-Board Reformers for H2-Rich Syngas Generation

SOFC-based APUs can utilize “low grade” H2 containing CO Requirements for on-board reformers:

  • Light weight
  • High H2 conversion
  • Should utilize methane, methanol, ethanol, natural gas, propane etc.
  • Also useful for diesel/hydrogen systems.
Ceramatec is using a fundamentally new material for ceramic microreactor fabrication. NSF-Funded Phase II SBIR program