Development of Vanadium Membranes for Clean Economical Production of Hydrogen from Ammonia

Project overview

Products for Industry (PFi) have developed patented technology for the extrusion of Titanium tubular membrane rods for applications requiring filtering of liquids or gases.

PFi now seeks to extend that technology to develop Vanadium alloy tubular membrane rods to be used in the separation of Ammonia liquid into Hydrogen and Nitrogen, with the hydrogen then being utilised in conjunction with fuel cells to generate electricity as well as many other industrial uses such as hydrogen powered turbines.

Ammonia is a chemical combination of Hydrogen and Nitrogen. Ammonia has long been touted as the most convenient and logistically efficient hydrogen source transport method. Current methods of converting Ammonia into hydrogen are in early stages of development with CSIRO being the leader in this field in Australia in collaboration with Fortescue Future Industries.

To achieve a successful hydrogen separation from ammonia, the membrane is critical. It is critical in several requirements such as pressure rating, temperature, surface area, composition, and availability. The key value proposition the PFi membrane offers is superior in many requirements. It is extruded not cold rolled, thus can be extruded in any shape to increase surface area.

This prototype demonstration will result in the production of membrane critical for hydrogen separation, achieve hydrogen success separation from ammonia, testing, successful production of filtration membranes and operate well to achieve an environmental solution in reducing emissions.

Project Impact

Expected Impact

• Increased spending on R&D
• Increased number of staff with science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) skills
• Larger patent portfolio
• Increased levels of automation
• Greater capital intensity
• Newer equipment
• Higher product value density (by weight)
• Higher trade intensity
• Larger geographical reach

Expected Growth

• PFi forecast $45M in revenue over 5 years

Expected Jobs

• This project is projected to upskill and create an additional 25 jobs

Project Contributions