US 12,240,755 B2
Method for producing compressed hydrogen using electrochemical systems
Sai P. Katikaneni, Dhahran (SA); Kunho Lee, Dhahran (SA); Joongmyeon Bae, Daejeon (KR); and WooChul Jung, Daejeon (KR)
Assigned to Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA); and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon (KR)
Filed by Saudi Arabian Oil Company, Dhahran (SA); and Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon (KR)
Filed on Jul. 6, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/367,905.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/048,264, filed on Jul. 6, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0002151 A1, Jan. 6, 2022
Int. Cl. C01B 3/04 (2006.01); C25B 1/02 (2006.01); C25B 9/17 (2021.01); C25B 11/061 (2021.01); C25B 11/077 (2021.01)
CPC C01B 3/047 (2013.01) [C25B 1/02 (2013.01); C25B 9/17 (2021.01); C25B 11/061 (2021.01); C25B 11/0773 (2021.01)] 11 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of converting ammonia to hydrogen gas (H2) in a fuel cell comprising:
passing the ammonia under pressure to a pressurized anode of the fuel cell utilizing a booster pump, wherein the fuel cell comprises the pressurized anode having an ammonia decomposition catalyst, a pressurized cathode, and a proton-conducting electrolyte disposed between the pressurized anode and the pressurized cathode,
decomposing the ammonia into nitrogen gas (N2), electrons (e−), and protons (H+);
purging the nitrogen gas (N2) from the pressurized anode utilizing an exhaust line comprising a back pressure regulator;
passing the protons (H+) through the proton conducting electrolyte and into the pressurized cathode;
passing the electrons (e−) from the pressurized anode to the pressurized cathode, wherein the protons (H+) accept the electrons (e−) to yield the hydrogen (H2) under pressure; and
passing the hydrogen under pressure from the pressurized cathode through a relief valve, wherein the combination of the booster pump, the back pressure regulator in the exhaust line, and the relief valve pressurize the pressurized anode and the pressurized cathode.