Influence of physicochemical parameters and Pt/Al2O3 properties on the catalytic activity in the deoxo reaction for renewable hydrogen purification

IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN) est un acteur majeur de la recherche et de la formation dans les domaines de l’énergie, du transport et de l’environnement. De la recherche à l’industrie, l’innovation technologique est au cœur de son action, articulée autour de quatre priorités stratégiques : Mobilité Durable, Energies Nouvelles, Climat / Environnement / Economie circulaire et Hydrocarbures Responsables.

Dans le cadre de la mission d’intérêt général confiée par les pouvoirs publics, IFPEN concentre ses efforts sur :

• l’apport de solutions aux défis sociétaux de l’énergie et du climat, en favorisant la transition vers une mobilité durable et l’émergence d’un mix énergétique plus diversifié ;
• la création de richesse et d’emplois, en soutenant l’activité économique française et européenne et la compétitivité des filières industrielles associées.

Partie intégrante d’IFPEN, l’école d’ingénieurs IFP School prépare les générations futures à relever ces défis.

Influence of physicochemical parameters and Pt/Al₂O₃ properties on the catalytic activity in the deoxo reaction for renewable hydrogen purification

Currently, the industry must shift to low-carbon or renewable energy sources other than fossil fuels. This transition will involve the production and use of new renewable energy carriers. It is in this context that hydrogen (H₂) is being studied. H₂ can be renewably produced by different manners - notably by water electrolysis - and has a multitude of new applications planned for the coming years (e.g. EV fuel cells, biofuels, starting material for various industrial syntheses). The innovative use of this H₂ gives rise to new requirements, particularly the need for uncompromising purity to ensure its performance. However, H₂ produced through water electrolysis is heavily contaminated with thousands of ppm of O₂. Purification thus becomes a critical and essential challenge for the use of renewable H₂.

This purification can be achieved by a catalytic recombination of H₂ and O₂ on Pd- or Pt-supported catalysts to form H₂O (the “deoxo” reaction). Although this reaction may seem simple, its mechanism is still poorly understood. In fact, due to the novelty of the topic, little data exists to understand the impact of operating conditions and nanoparticles properties on catalyst performances.

These understandings will be particularly valuable as they could both optimize catalysts and clarify the activity fluctuations reported in the literature.

DESCRIPTION 

This internship is part of a larger thesis project initiated in 2023 focusing on the experimental and theoretical study of the deoxo reaction on palladium and platinum catalysts.

The objective of the proposed internship is to link the observed activity differences to the physicochemical properties of Pt-catalyst. The student will be responsible for acquiring experimental data on a laboratory pilot unit for alumina-supported platinum catalysts, characterizing new and used catalysts (by H₂/O₂ titration, CO chemisorption and HR-STEM) and interpreting the data.

Although primarily focused on platinum catalysts, a comparative study with palladium catalysts is also planned.

This work will be performed in close cooperation with a 3^rd year PhD student. A report and a presentation summarizing all the results obtained are expected at the end of the internship.

PROFILE 

Master 2 in chemistry, material chemistry, 3rd year of chemical engineering school.

• Good skills in catalysis in general, and in chemical engineering. A background in material science would be a plus.
• The student should be interested in laboratory work.
• Be rigorous
• Autonomic
• Curious