Gliding discharge plasma-catalytic system for decomposition of ammonia as a chemical carrier of hydrogen

Hydrogen has been identified as an essential component of a decarbonized and sustainable energy system. The use of hydrogen is associated with the problem of its storage and distribution. Storing hydrogen in the gaseous state is energy-consuming, mainly due to the process of its compression. A much higher density of hydrogen can be obtained after its liquefaction. Hydrogen can also bond in chemical compounds, for example, in ammonia which contains 17.8% hydrogen by weight. The aim of the work was to examine the ammonia decomposition process in the plasma-catalytic system and to determine the effect of the process parameters on energy consumption. The applied catalysts allowed higher ammonia conversion than the homogeneous system. The lowest energy consumption, 593 kJ/molH2, was obtained for the 10% Fe/Al2O3 catalyst. The highest ammonia conversion (approx. 90%) was obtained using the 10% Co/Al2O3 catalyst.