In the quest for cleaner energy, hydrogen stands out as a promising contender, and a recent breakthrough in protonic membrane reforming technology is stirring excitement in the energy sector. Researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) have developed an advanced control system for protonic membrane reformers, potentially paving the way for more efficient and reliable hydrogen production.
At the heart of this innovation is a multi-input, multi-output feedback control scheme designed by Dominic Peters, a leading researcher in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UCLA. This control system is a significant step forward in automating protonic membrane reformers, which are crucial for converting methane into hydrogen at lower operational temperatures, typically between 600 to 800 °C.
Peters and his team have tackled one of the major technical challenges in the commercialization of these reformers: managing their highly nonlinear process dynamics. “The automation of protonic membrane reformers is a major technical challenge,” Peters explains. “Our control architecture addresses this by automatically calculating hydrogen separation rate setpoints while safely and effectively reaching hydrogen production rate setpoints and desired steam-to-carbon ratios.”
The experimental system, capable of producing 500 watts of thermal and electrochemical power, demonstrates impressive performance. It achieves a methane conversion rate of 99.6% at a current density of 0.564 ± 0.0125 A⋅cm−2 at 788 °C. Moreover, the system maintains internal temperature fluctuations within ± 6.00 °C per minute, which is crucial for extending the lifespan of the catalyst, especially when operating at high hydrogen recovery rates.
One of the standout features of this research is the ability to alter the hydrogen production rate setpoint every 150 minutes without compromising system-wide controllability. This flexibility is a game-changer for industrial-scale applications, where consistent and reliable hydrogen production is essential.
The implications for the energy sector are profound. Protonic membrane reformers, once automated and optimized, could become the backbone of modular thermo-electrochemical hydrogen generators. These units would not only be highly efficient but also autonomous, capable of controlling up to three process variables and having additional control degrees of freedom for process intensification and optimization.
“This research opens up new possibilities for the commercialization of protonic membrane reformers,” Peters notes. “By automating these systems, we can achieve well-governed, autonomous hydrogen generation units that are both efficient and reliable.”
The study, published in Digital Chemical Engineering, translates to English as Digital Chemical Engineering, highlights the potential for these reformers to revolutionize hydrogen production. As the energy sector continues to seek sustainable and efficient solutions, this breakthrough could be a pivotal step towards a hydrogen-powered future.
The research not only advances the technical capabilities of protonic membrane reformers but also sets a precedent for how automation and control systems can be integrated into energy production technologies. As the world moves towards cleaner energy sources, innovations like this will be crucial in shaping the future of the energy landscape.