Research areas

Generally, the steam reforming process involves two reactions: the decomposition of hydrocarbons/alcohols with water vapor to produce hydrogen(1) and the subsequent reaction of carbon monoxide with water (water gas shift, WGS) (2). Since the hydrocarbons/alcohols used come from plants, the CO2  cycle can be considered netrual, as the plants will re-fix this CO2 to produce more substrates. Other processes include partical oxidation and dry reforming with CO2, which aids in decarbonization (3).

1. CnHm + nH2  -->  nCO + (n+m/2)H2

2. CO + H2O  --> CO2 + H2

3. CH4 + CO2 --> 2CO + 2H2

• Design, experimental testing and characterization of new catalysts and catalytic reactors for industrial applications.

• Simultaneous production and separation of hydrogen with membrane catalytic reactors.

• CFD modeling, analysis and optimization (DNS, LES, RANS), development of high fidelity computational tools, reduced-order modeling techniques and Data Science strategies.

• Operation and control of the reformer.

Electrolysis (electrocatalysis)

Water is decomposed into H2 and O2 by applying electric current to the electrochemical cell.

• Optimization of cell design based on conducting studies, flows in porous media and species diffusion. Evaluation of heat transfer and load loss in phase change phenomena.

• Operation and control of the electrolyzer.

• Development and testing of systems: cells, electrodes (metal powders, ceramic powders and coatings), ceramic electrolytes and interconnectors.

Thermolysis

This process, also called thermochemical cycles is based on series of consecutive chemical reactions where the total sum results in the separation of water into H2 and O2, where the maximum working temperature must be lower than what we would require to decompose the water by exclusively temperature. 

• Device design optimization based on the study of conduction, convection and radiation in the receivers. Study of heat and mass transfer phenomena in solids, porous media and kinetic reactions.

• Thermodynamic analysis of different processes with various chemical reactor configurations using unstructured and structured catalysts.

• Catalyst development.

Photocatalysis

Photocatalysis is based on the breaking of water molecules by the action of a photocatalyst, which accelerates the chemical reaction when it is irradiated with light of a certain wavelength.

• Design, experimental testing, development and characterization of new photocatalysts for continuous industrial applications using photoreactors for solid-gas photocatalytic reactions.

Photoelectrocatalysis 

Photoelectrocatalysis is based on the combination of electrolysis and photocatalysis for the preparation of photoelectrodes that, ideally, can carry out the production of H2 and O2, from water molecules applying a much lower potential than those applied in conventional electrolysis, thanks to the use of photoanodes and / or photocathodes.

• Synthesis of new semiconductor materials that can be used as photoelectrodes.

Ammonia decomposition

Ammonia is presented as an interesting option for storing H2, as it is a chemical compound that liquefies at low pressure and has a high hydrogen content.

• Design, experimental testing, development and characterization of new catalysts for industrial applications and structured reactors.

Compressed hydrogen

• Analysis and simulation of high pressure loading and unloading processes.

• Study of heat and mass transfer in the loading and unloading processes.

• CFD modeling, analysis and optimization (DNS, LES, RANS), development of high fidelity computational tools, reduced-order modeling techniques and Data Science strategies.

• Comparative analysis with other storage methods.

• Development of materials and the conformation of pressurised cylinders.

Storage in metal hydrides

• Study of surface adsorption reactions between hydrogen and solid elements that serve as accumulators. Heat and mass transfer.

• Study of the absorption of hydrogen in metal hydrides. Study of other volumetric absorption processes between hydrogen and other materials that serve as accumulators.

• Formulation and analysis of small-order mathematical models for hydrogen capture processes in metal hydrides and their use for the optimization of the improvement process and design.

Liquefaction at low temperatures

• Comparative studies and design optimization with other storage methods.

• Development of pressure tanks and atmospheric tanks.

Transport and distribution of hydrogen through pipes

• Study of the degradation of the materials of pipes, pumps, etc.

• Steel pipeline development.

Transport and distribution of hydrogen by road

• Development of storage systems for tanks and tube trailers.

Fuel cells

• Fuel cell optimization based on conduction heat transfer studies, porous media flows, and species diffusion. Study of conduction, convection, gas reaction and water phase change phenomena.

• Operation and control.

• Development and testing of fuel cells and components (electrolytes, electrodes and interconnectors).

Hydrogen as a heat source

• Development of demonstration projects in the steel, cement, and food industry.

• Optimization and design of the H2 combustion chamber through the heat and mass transfer phenomena in the combustion processes, simulation models of the reaction of the species (flame front, turbulence, mixed and premixed flames, etc.), in domestic, industrial and transportation applications.

Hydrogen emissions as fuel in combustion engines

• Study of yields and emissions in the substitution of ordinary fuels for hydrogen.

• Control of the presence of NOX and the formation of nitric acid in the exhaust.

Hydrogen for the production of synthetic products and fuels

Hydrogen is a raw material for the production of synthetic chemical products and fuels. The most interesting thing is to apply the concept of circular economy to these processes.

• Process design for synthesis gas generation.

• Catalyst development.

• Study of CO2 methanation and methanation from syngas.

• Study of the generation of liquid fuels such as ammonia.

DC/DC converters for fuel cells and electrolyzers and inverters for grid integration and operation

• Design and construction. Participation in pilots and demonstrators.

• Digital modeling and control of power electronics elements.

• Reliability and productive maintenance.

Hydrogen energy networks and microgrids and renewable electricity generation

• Planning, integration and design of networks, electrical topology and sizing of elements at the level of microgrids.

• Network planning, integration and design, electrical topology and sizing of TSO and DSO level elements.

• Study of the particularities of off-shore wind sources.

• Operation and control.

• Planning management algorithms in hydrogen storage electrical flexibility markets.

Vehicles with fuel cell

• Traction system design. Design and control of electric traction motors and inverters.

• Design and control of hybrid electric traction systems.

• Development of the state machine for the coordination of the different driving modes.

Integration of hydrogen with the water and waste sector

• Study of blue hydrogen production in sewage treatment plants: Biogas methane recovery, upgrading and reformation.

• Study of electrolysis from different types of water (desalinated, regenerated) and renewable energies.

• Study of new hydrogen production processes from waste.

Hydrogen economy and sustainability

• Economic and environmental optimization of hydrogen energy systems, considering legal restrictions, consumption behavior, and generation forecasting.

Dynamic modeling and parameter estimation

• Obtaining dynamic models and simulation of energy systems with generation, storage and/or use of hydrogen. Use of models based on physical laws (linear or non-linear), data-driven models and combinations.

• Identification and estimation of online and offline parameters for hydrogen systems (electrolyzers, reformers, fuel cells, hydrogen storage systems).

Diagnose the prognosis

• Design of fault diagnosis systems, systems that determine the state of health and prognosis systems.

• Experimental design and experimental characterization.

Control system for electrolyzers, reformers and fuel cells

• Design and implementation of drivers.

Optimal energy management in hybrid systems and hydrogen power grids

• Design of algorithms for the optimal management of resources, considering costs and emissions.

• Prediction (generation, consumption) and detection (fault location, power loss) in electrical systems based on Machine Learning.

Monitoring

• Creation of digital twins with artificial intelligence tools.

• Creation of SCADAs for hydrogen systems and networks.