Carbon Advanced Reactive Membranes for Ammonia Synthesis and Decomposition

Descripción del proyecto

CARMA verde: el futuro del amoníaco

La transición mundial hacia las energías limpias exige métodos eficientes para almacenar y transportar hidrógeno. En este contexto, el amoníaco verde se perfila como un vector prometedor. Sin embargo, los métodos actuales para producir y descomponer amoníaco consumen mucha energía y presentan una eficiencia limitada. En el proyecto CARMA-SD, respaldado por las acciones Marie Skłodowska-Curie, se abordarán estas limitaciones mediante el desarrollo de un nuevo tipo de membranas catalíticas de carbono que combinarán en una sola etapa las reacciones químicas y la separación de gases. Mediante la incorporación de nanopartículas metálicas a estos materiales, se pretende aumentar la producción y reducir considerablemente el consumo de energía. Además de ampliar el conocimiento científico, en CARMA-SD se validarán por primera vez estas tecnologías sostenibles, con lo que se contribuirá a los objetivos del Pacto Verde Europeo y a reforzar el liderazgo europeo en innovación en el ámbito de las energías renovables.

Objetivo

The transition toward a decarbonized energy system requires efficient solutions for the large-scale storage and transport of renewable energy. Among the available options, ammonia (NH3) has recently emerged as a promising hydrogen carrier, thanks to its high hydrogen density, existing storage and distribution infrastructure, and well-established industrial know-how. However, the current synthesis and decomposition routes for ammonia remain highly energy-intensive and limited in efficiency, hindering the deployment of Green Ammonia as a practical energy vector.
The project CARMA-SD (Carbon Advanced Reactive Membranes for Ammonia Synthesis and Decomposition) aims to address this challenge by developing a new class of catalytic carbon membranes (CCMs). These membranes will be engineered with tailored porosity and functionalized with metallic nanoparticles, enabling them to simultaneously act as selective separation units and catalytic supports. By integrating catalytic and separation functionalities into a single material, CCMs are expected to significantly intensify both ammonia synthesis and decomposition processes, lowering energy demands and enhancing process performance.
The methodology combines advanced synthesis of carbon membranes, heterogeneous catalysis, kinetic modeling, and reactor engineering, leveraging the unique expertise of the host group at TU/e in membrane reactors and process intensification. The project will generate fundamental knowledge on CCMs and validate their performance for the first time in ammonia-related reactions. Beyond scientific advances, CARMA-SD will contribute to the development of more efficient and sustainable Green Ammonia technologies, reinforcing Europe’s leadership in renewable energy innovation and supporting the EU Green Deal objectives.