Fuelling the hydrogen economy

Scale-up of an integrated formic acid-to-power system

Journal article (2019)

Authors

R. van Putten ChemE/Inorganic Systems Engineering - AS
Tim Wissink Eindhoven University of Technology
Tijn Swinkels Automotive Campus, Helmond, Eindhoven University of Technology
E.A. Pidko ChemE/Inorganic Systems Engineering - AS , ChemE/Algemeen
Research Group
ChemE/Inorganic Systems Engineering (AS) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2019 R. van Putten, Tim Wissink, Tijn Swinkels, E.A. Pidko
DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.153
Hydrogen Dehydrogenation Homogeneous catalysis Energy production Formic acid Chemical process development
More Info
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Published Date

01-11-2019

Language

English

Faculty

Applied Sciences

Department

ChemE/Chemical Engineering

Research Group

ChemE/Inorganic Systems Engineering

Abstract

Transitioning from fossil fuels to sustainable and green energy sources in mobile applications is a difficult challenge and demands sustained and highly multidisciplinary efforts in R&D. Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHC) offer several advantages over more conventional energy storage solutions, but have not been yet demonstrated at scale. Herein we describe the development of an integrated and compact 25 kW formic acid-to-power system by a team of BSc and MSc students. We highlight a number of key engineering challenges encountered during scale-up of the technology and discuss several aspects commonly overlooked by academic researchers. Conclusively, we provide a critical outlook and suggest a number of developmental areas currently inhibiting further implementation of the technology.