IMPROVEMENT OF TOLUENE DIRECT ELECTRO-HYDROGENATION ELECTROLYZER FOR ENERGY CARRIER TECHNOLOGY

Abstract

Toluene-methylcyclohexane organic chemical hydride has been expected as the energy carrier system for the large-scale transport and storage of hydrogen generated from renewable energy. In this study, we improved the performance of toluene direct electro-hydrogenation electrolyzer. The electrolyzer was optimized for cathode flow-field, the chemical-hydrogenation Pt catalyst in cathode flow-field, and the application of fine mesh anode. Porous-carbon flow-field was the best structure as cathode flow-field. Pt particles loaded cathode flow-field confirmed the function of chemical hydrogenation with toluene and hydrogen. Furthermore, the fining of anode mesh also functioned efficiently. Each modification showed the significant improvement of cell voltage and current efficiency. The conversion from toluene to methylcyclohexane with one-through operation achieved 92 -95%.