Hydrogen production process

Jun 17, 2016    Isis Innovation Limited


Patents Application Number

WO2016203264 A1

Abstract

The invention provides a process for producing hydrogen, which process comprises exposing a composition to electromagnetic radiation, which composition comprises at least one organic compound and a catalyst, wherein the at least one organic compound is selected from: hydrocarbons and compounds which comprise a hydrocarbyl group, and the catalyst comprises: a metal in elemental form; a metal compound other than a metal oxide; a non- metal in elemental form selected from B, C, Si, P, Ge, As, Sb and Te; or an inorganic compound of said non-metal other than an oxide of the non-metal. Compositions as defined above are also provided, as are uses of the compositions as hydrogen storage materials or for generating hydrogen. An electromagnetic activation system suitable for the rapid production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons is also provided, which system comprises: a reactor comprising a reaction cavity, which reactor is configured to receive, in the reaction cavity, a composition to be decomposed, and is configured to deliver hydrogen; and a source of electromagnetic radiation, suitable for exposing a composition in the reaction cavity to electromagnetic radiation and thereby effecting decomposition of the composition to produce hydrogen. Further provided is the use of electromagnetic activation system of the invention as defined above for generating hydrogen from a composition of the invention as defined above. A system for generating hydrogen is also provided, comprising (a) a composition of the invention; and (b) a source of electromagnetic radiation, for exposing the composition to electromagnetic radiation and thereby effecting decomposition of the at least one organic compound to produce hydrogen.

Patent Inventor

Name

Assignee

Edwards, P. P.

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Vladimir L Kuznetsov

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Tiancun Xiao,

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Daniel SLOCOMBE,

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Sergio GONZALEZ-CORTES,

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Almegren, Hamid

Petrochemical Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia

Afrah ALDAWSARI

KACST-Oxford Petrochemical Research Centre (KOPRC), Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, University of Oxford

Mohammad ALKINANI

Petrochemical Research Institute, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia