Design, Program, Evolve: Engineering efficient electrochemical devices for a net-zero world

Started

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells(Fuel Cells)

Basic and strategic applied research

PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Chemistry)
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Metallurgy and Materials)
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Dr S Holmes
Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science
University of Manchester

Standard

EPSRC

01 November 2022

31 October 2027

60 months

£1,987,344

Energy

North West

Energy : Energy

Dr S Holmes, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester

Dr D Brett, Chemical Engineering, University College London
Dr SJ Haigh, Materials, University of Manchester
Professor P Martin, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Professor IS Metcalfe, School of Chemical Engineering & Advanced Materials, Newcastle University
Dr T Miller, Chemical Engineering, University College London
Dr GA Mutch, Sch of Engineering, Newcastle University
Miss M Perez-Page, Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester
Dr P Shearing, Chemical Engineering, University College London

Project Contact, Bramble Energy
Project Contact, Johnson Matthey Plc
Project Contact, TESCAN UK
Project Contact, BP International Ltd
Project Contact, Renishaw PLC (Old Town)

Electro-chemical devices (fuel cells, electrolysers etc) are at the forefront of the drive to a 'net-zero world' with hydrogen as an important energy storage medium and fuel for the application of sustainably derived electricity. Even with the projected development of the energy system towards a largely fossil-fuel free system, CO2 separation will continue to be required for chemical processes. The work proposed builds on the collaboration between the Universities on Manchester, Newcastle and UCL which has flourished over the past five years, to develop more efficient and robust technologies to achieve a carbon negative industrial landscape.The ability to operate fuel cells at higher temperatures without humidification means that the amount of equipment needed and hence cost is reduced. It also means that potentially cheaper catalysts can be used, and the purity of the fuel does not need to be rigorously controlled, all of which leads to cheaper and more efficient systems. The overlap between fuel cells and electrolysers is very significant as an electrolyser is simply a fuel cell in reverse; as such similar problems are manifest. In addition, an exciting electrochemical process for gas separation (CO2 removal) is under development, again with significant overlap in terms of developmental challenges.This proposal builds a team of researchers with complimentary skills to tackle the challenges highlighted. The synergies between the very high-level characterisation expertise to examine the processes taking place in the systems, coupled with the electro-chemical developments which are on-going, mean that development and optimisation can take place quickly with understanding being shared to tackle the overlapping nature of the obstacles to implementation of these vital technologies.

14/07/22