Project description
Innovative fuel processor for hydrogen-based CHP systems
Intensification of the heat supply in the compact methane steam reformer is a critical issue in using catalytic fuel processors as central components in small-scale units for combined heat and power (CHP) generation in residential applications. This is based on hydrogen fuel cells and fed by natural gas, air and water. The EU-funded INSTANT project will build on findings from the related INTENT project to develop and validate an efficient catalytic fuel processor for small-scale hydrogen cells-based CHP systems for domestic applications. The project will test the innovation at a semi-industrial level and assess the potential for reducing the CO2 footprint of the CHP unit and production costs.
Objective
The project task is the development and validation of an efficient catalytic fuel processor as the key component of small
scale units for combined heat and power (CHP) generation in residential applications, based on hydrogen-fuel cells and fed by
natural gas, air and water. A critical issue of these devices is the intensification of the heat supply in the compact methane steam reformer
where hydrogen is generated. To this purpose we exploit the findings from my ERC AdG project INTENT, developing a
reformer design based on thermally conductive cellular structures packed with catalyst microparticles. As demonstrated
already in INTENT by lab scale tests, the flow independent conductive heat exchange mechanism enables a highly effective power
supply to the endothermic catalytic reaction even in the case of low and fluctuating flow rates, as typical of these compact
units.
The INSTANT project aims at testing this novel configuration of the fuel processor at a semi-industrial scale (TRL5). Indicators which will be evaluated during the test sessions include: 1) the H2 productivity for a given catalyst load (target = +30%); 2) the start-up time to full load (target = -30%); 3) the response time to a load change (target = -30%). Based on the experimental outcomes, INSTANT will also assess the potential for reducing the footprint of the CHP unit, the system volume being currently one of the main constraints for domestic CHP applications, as well as the overall production cost, including life-cycle costs. If successful, INSTANT will pave the way to a new generation of CHP systems based on hydrogen fuel cells, to be used in residential applications and, in perspective, in hydrogen refueling stations for fuel-cell vehicles, thus contributing to the decarbonisation of the EU energy system.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electrical engineering power engineering electric power generation combined heat and power
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fossil energy natural gas
- natural sciences chemical sciences catalysis
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels fuel cells
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels renewable energy hydrogen energy
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.1. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
ERC-POC - Proof of Concept Grant
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2020-PoC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
20133 Milano
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.