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4743284 
Journal Article 
High-Purity H-2 Produced from NH3 via a Ruthenium-Based Decomposition Catalyst and Vanadium-Based Membrane 
Lamb, KE; Viano, DM; Langley, MJ; Hla, SanS; Dolane, MD 
2018 
Yes 
Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
ISSN: 0888-5885
EISSN: 1520-5045 
57 
23 
7811-7816 
Ammonia is a prospective hydrogen transport intermediate due to its high volumetric and gravimetric H-2 densities, and existing production and distribution infrastructure. However, its ultimate use in mobile proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells necessitates decomposition and purification at or near the point of use. In this study, the production of high purity H-2 from NH3 using a two-stage process has been demonstrated by coupling separate decomposition (150 g of 1 wt % Ru on Al2O3 catalyst) and purification (a single 150 cm(2), Pd-coated tubular vanadium membrane) stages. Equilibrium NH3 decomposition and >90% H-2 recovery was demonstrated with a catalyst temperature of 450 degrees C and membrane temperature of 340 degrees C, with an overall H-2 production rate of 0.75 kg/day. Mass spectrometry showed that levels of N-2 and NH3 impurities were below detection limits. This configuration is readily scalable by increasing the catalyst loading and membrane area (through use of multiple tubes in parallel), and could enable a pathway for distributed use of H-2 from NH3 in mobile and stationary power generation.