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Hydrogen Engine: new catalyst transforming ethanol into hydrogen

The cooperation between researchers in the Connects Superior of Scientific Investigations (CSIC) and the University Polytechnic de Catalunya (UPC) in Spain has helped to develop and patent a catalyst to convert ethanol to hydrogen.

The research team was cohered by researchers Elies Grau Molins of Institute of Ciencia de Materials de Barcelona (ICMAB) CSIC in Barcelona and Jordi Llorca of UPC. According to them, the main advantages of this catalyst is to limit the cost of obtaining hydrogen compared to the transformation from oil and reduce the danger of transporting hydrogen gas highly flammable and explosive. In addition, designers do not hesitate to consider this invention as the "final solution for transportation based on hydrogen".

The catalyst is formed by a piece of perforated ceramic inside by canals and covered with a aerogel containing nanoparticles of cobalt. It is the latter who act in the transformation of ethanol to hydrogen. The catalyst must be heated to a temperature of 310 ° C during operation. A mixture of ethanol and water in gaseous form passes through the channels and fate in the form of dehydrogenate H2 and carbon dioxide CO2. From a molecule of ethanol and three water molecules, you get six molecules of H2 and two of CO2.

The catalyst will be installed inside of the vehicle and allow the direct production of hydrogen. The transformation process requires the production of one of the main gases responsible for the greenhouse effect, carbon dioxide (CO2), but in less than a car driven by a fossil fuel. Researchers hope that the fruits of their research could be used to develop fuel cell hydrogen.