Stationary methanol steam reforming to hydrogen fuel for fuel-cell filling stations

Renewable hydrogen (H2) carriers such as methanol (MeOH) can be reformed back into H2 and is a fundamental chemical conversion for the long-term viability of the H2 economy due to its high density and ease of transportability compared to H2. MeOH is an especially important carrier as it is a simple C1 chemical that can be produced from solar-PV-generated H2 and direct-air-captured CO2 with a current commercially practical solar-to-fuel efficiency of 10% from renewable solar energy. MeOH steam reforming (MSR) in stationary systems next to H2 fuel-cell filling stations can eliminate the need for on-board mobile reformers and the former systems can be more robust in terms of attaining strict H2 product specifications. MeOH, with properly handling, is also a safe, lossless and a compact medium for long-term H2 storage. Both thermal- and photo-catalysts are viable options for achieving stable, long-term performance of stationary MSR systems.

Faculty Supervisor:

Mohini Sain

Student:

Partner:

Ford Motor Company

Discipline:

Engineering

Sector:

Manufacturing; Professional, scientific and technical services

University:

University of Toronto

Program: