Burner-heated dehydrogenation of a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system

Bollmann J, Mitländer K, Beck D, Schühle P, Bauer F, Zigan L, Wasserscheid P, Will S (2023)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2023

Journal

Book Volume: 48

Pages Range: 30039-30056

Journal Issue: 77

DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.062

Abstract

For a hydrogen-based economy, safe and efficient hydrogen storage is essential. Compared to other chemical hydrogen storage technologies, such as ammonia or methanol, liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) systems allow for a reversible storage of hydrogen while being easy to handle in a diesel-like manner. In our contribution, we describe for the first time the successful utilization of the exhaust gas enthalpy of a porous media burner to directly supply the dehydrogenation heat for a kW-scale dehydrogenation of the hydrogen-rich LOHC compound perhydro dibenzyltoluene (H18-DBT). Our setup demonstrates the dynamics of the dehydrogenation unit at a realized maximum hydrogen power of 3.9 kWth, based on the lower heating value of the released hydrogen. For the intended applications with fluctuating hydrogen demand, e.g. a hydrogen refueling station (HRS) or stationary heating in buildings, a dynamic hydrogen supply from LOHC is important. Methane, e.g. from a biogas plant, is utilized in our scenario as a fuel source for the burner. Hydrogen is released within 30 min after cold start of the system. The dehydrogenation unit exhibits a power density relative to the reactor volume of about 0.5 kWtherm l⁻¹ based on the lower heating value of the hydrogen and a catalyst productivity of up to 0.65 gH2 gPt⁻¹ min⁻¹ for hydrogen release from H18-DBT. An analysis of the by-products and reaction intermediates shows low by-product formation (e.g. maximum 0.6 wt.-% for high boilers and 0.9 wt.- % for low boilers) and uniform distribution of intermediates after the reaction. Thus, a relatively homogeneous temperature distribution and a uniform LOHC flow in the reaction zone can be assumed. Our findings illustrate the dynamics (heating rates of about 10 K min⁻¹) and performance of direct heating of a release unit with a burner and represent a significant step towards LOHC-based hydrogen provisioning systems at technically relevant scales.

Authors with CRIS profile

Additional Organisation(s)

Involved external institutions

Energie Campus Nürnberg Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Bollmann, J., Mitländer, K., Beck, D., Schühle, P., Bauer, F., Zigan, L.,... Will, S. (2023). Burner-heated dehydrogenation of a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 48(77), 30039-30056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2023.04.062

MLA:

Bollmann, Jonas, et al. "Burner-heated dehydrogenation of a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) system." International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 48.77 (2023): 30039-30056.

BibTeX: Download