The CAMPFIRE project CF10_4 aims to develop a plant for producing ultrapure hydrogen for refueling from a supply of green ammonia. NH3 crackers typically produce a mixture of H2 and N2 that still contains traces of NH3. In order to use the hydrogen in fuel cells, it is, however, necessary to remove the nitrogen and ammonia traces (<100ppm) from this mixture. The innovative core of this project by partners Exentis Tooling GmbH, Inherent Solutions Consult GmbH & Co. KG, PSL Technik GmbH, Leibniz Institute for Plasma Science and Technology e.V., and the Center for Fuel Cells GmbH was to implement a new fine purification technology based on amine salt storage (stage 1) and a cost-effective membrane separation module (stage 2).
In the course of the project, filter cartridges for absorbing the amine salts were developed, manufactured, and their cleaning performance was investigated. For the subsequent fine cleaning of the gas mixture (< 5 ppm ammonia), a membrane separation module based on a CuPd membrane was developed and manufactured using innovative manufacturing processes based on laser welding and 3D screen printing. The fine cleaning modules were integrated into a test rig to examine the entire separation process – focussing on the media supply, heating of the membrane separation module, and valves for pressure and flow regulation. Appropriate flow meters were integrated into the test rig to determine the flow rates on the secondary side of the membrane module.
The novel separation process is now being tested for functionality with two stages being connected in series and examined for performance. In addition to performance, the availability and reliability of the process are evaluated and possible suggestions for improvement in a future upscale are derived.
Figure: Process flow diagram of H2 treatment with manufacturing steps for the developed filter module and the assembled separation membrane module
