Hydrogen plays a key role when it comes to achieving global sustainability targets. This is why work is being carried out across the globe on different solutions for the generation, transportation and use of hydrogen. A crucial component here is the efficient transportation of green hydrogen between regions with sufficient production resources and sites where hydrogen will be applied. Ammonia is considered to be one of the most suitable transportation medium, which is why catalytic ammonia cracking using precious-metal catalysts is a promising way to enable the utilization of hydrogen transported in the ammonia at the point of use in a way which conserves resources.
Using a 16-fold high throughput system, hte was able to successfully screen catalysts under challenging test conditions. During the project, work was conducted at high temperatures (above 700°C) and at pressures in the mid-two-digit range at the same time. Data collected during the project helped Heraeus Precious Metals to identify suitable catalysts for ammonia cracking. Thanks to hte’s state-of-the-art high throughput technology, it was possible to examine a large number of materials in a very short period of time and under a variety of different process parameters. With the help of hte’s holistic, digital workflow, the experiments were carried out fully automatically and accompanied by online analysis. The generated data was documented and evaluated in a time- and cost-effective way. The comprehensive precious metals expertise of Heraeus Precious Metals was decisive for quickly selecting and effectively optimizing promising catalyst candidates. Direct access to proprietary precious-metal precursor compounds, combined with highly specialized analysis methods and decades of experience in the development of custom-tailored catalyst solutions for the chemical and process industries, led to products with exceptional activity and selectivity. Heraeus Precious Metals also ensures outstanding quality and safety standards in the processing of precious metals. This expertise ensures that industrial processes can be designed to be more efficient, more economical, and more sustainable. The company is consistently further expanding its position as a global pioneer in the development of precious metal catalysts, thereby significantly contributing to the advancement of the sustainable energy sector.
“Precious metals play an indispensable role in the chemical and energy industries. Thanks to high throughput testing at hte, we were able to test a large number of precious metal-based catalysts. In the process, it was very important to us that testing was carried out under industrially relevant conditions with respect to pressure, temperature, and feed composition, which poses a major challenge especially for ammonia cracking. As a result, we were able to develop an extremely high performing and exceedingly stable ruthenium catalyst which we will now launch on the market. This will enable even more efficient and sustainable ammonia cracking processes in the future and therefore represents a significant contribution to the transition to a sustainable hydrogen economy,”
according to Ingo Gräf, Global Head of Innovation Chemicals at Heraeus Precious Metals.
“The pursuit of sustainable, affordable, and reliable generation processes and the efficient transportation of green hydrogen take center stage when it comes to the strategic considerations of companies and entire industries. As a global provider of solutions for digitalized R&D lab workflows, hte is proud to be part of this important and amazing journey. We appreciate Heraeus Precious Metals’ deep trust in our services for accelerating the identification of a suitable catalytic material. We’re very much looking forward to further strengthening our relationships in future projects,”
remarked Markus Bold, CEO of hte.
About Heraeus Precious Metals
Heraeus Precious Metals is globally leading in the precious metals industry. The company is part of the Heraeus Group and covers the value chain from trading to precious metals products to refining and recycling. It has extensive expertise in all platinum group metals as well as gold and silver.
With more than 3,000 employees at 17 sites worldwide, Heraeus Precious Metals offers a broad portfolio of products that are essential for many industries such as the automotive, chemicals, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, hydrogen and jewelry industry. For more information, visit www.heraeus-precious-metals.com
Founded in 1999 and headquartered in Heidelberg, Germany, hte develops innovative R&D workflows on lab-scale. These workflows comprise reactor systems, precise analytics, software solutions, and in-depth application expertise. With our more than 400 employees and our expertise, we are able to downscale commercial processes to lab-scale and quickly generate results with high data quality and commercial relevance to help our customers achieving their sustainability goals. For more information, visit our website www.hte-company.com.
hte GmbH
Kurpfalzring 104
69123 Heidelberg
Telefon: +49 (6221) 7497-0
Telefax: +49 (6221) 7497-137
http://www.hte-company.com
Senior Manager Communications Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
Telefon: +49 (176) 178425-09
E-Mail: mareike.fillsack@heraeus.com
Global Head of Innovation – Business Line Chemicals Heraeus Precious Metals GmbH & Co. KG
Telefon: +49 (151) 4614-8543
E-Mail: ingo.graef@heraeus.com
Marketing Communications Manager
Telefon: +49 6221 7497 290
Fax: +49 6221 7497 134
E-Mail: jacqueline.stalica@hte-company.de
Business Development
Telefon: +49 (6221) 7497-298
E-Mail: Cornelia.Futter@hte-company.de