IP Library Granted Patent US 11,772,979
Granted Patent B2
US 11,772,979 · App. 16/779,348 · Granted Oct 3, 2023

Metal-decorated barium calcium aluminum oxide catalyst for NH3 synthesis and cracking and methods of forming the same

Inventors: Chris Cadigan (Golden, CO); Ryan O′Hayre (Golden, CO); Joseph D. Beach (Aurora, CO); Adam W. Welch (Aurora, CO); Jonathan D. Kintner (Aurora, CO)
Assignees: Starfire Energy; Colorado School of Mines
C01C1/0411B01J23/04B01J23/462B01J23/75B01J35/04B01J37/0219B01J37/0225B01J37/0228B01J37/0244C01B3/025C01B3/047
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,772,979
App. No.
16/779,348
Granted
Oct 3, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Catalysts for NH 3 cracking and/or synthesis generally include barium calcium aluminum oxide compounds decorated with ruthenium, cobalt, or both. These catalysts can be bonded to a metal structure, which improves thermal conductivity and gas conductance.

Claims (15)

1. A method of cracking NH 3 into a N 2 +H 2 +NH 3 mixture comprising:

exposing NH 3 to a catalyst comprising barium calcium aluminum oxide decorated with a catalytic species;

wherein the catalytic species comprises one or more selected from the group consisting of ruthenium, cobalt, and cobalt oxide.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the barium calcium aluminum oxide decorated with catalytic species to which the NH 3 is exposed is bonded to a metal monolith.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the metal monolith is heated by passing an electric current therethrough while the NH 3 is exposed to the catalyst.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the barium calcium aluminum oxide is selected from the group consisting of Ba 21 Ca 16 Al 6 O 46 , BaCaAl 2 O 6 , Ba 5 Ca 7 Al 8 O 24 , Ba 3 Ca 3 Al 2 O 12 , Ba 2 Ca 5 Al 2 O 10 , BaCaAl 2 O 5 , and Ba 2 CaAl 2 O 6 .

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the catalyst species comprises ruthenium and cobalt, ruthenium and cobalt oxide, or ruthenium, cobalt and cobalt oxide.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein aluminum oxide in the barium calcium aluminum oxide is partially or fully replaced with boron oxide.

7. A method of synthesizing NH 3 from a N 2 +H 2 mixture comprising:

exposing N 2 +H 2 to a catalyst comprising barium calcium aluminum oxide decorated with a catalytic species;

wherein the catalytic species comprises cobalt.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the barium calcium aluminum oxide decorated with catalytic species to which the N 2 +H 2 is exposed is bonded to a metal monolith.

9. The method of claim 8 in wherein the metal monolith is heated by passing an electric current through it while the N 2 +H 2 is exposed to the catalyst.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein the barium calcium aluminum oxide of the catalyst is selected from the group consisting of Ba 21 Ca 16 Al 6 O 46 , BaCaAl 2 O 6 , Ba 5 Ca 7 Al 8 O 24 , Ba 3 Ca 3 Al 2 O 12 , Ba 2 Ca 5 Al 2 O 10 , BaCaAl 2 O 5 , and Ba 2 CaAl 2 O 6 .

11. The method of claim 7 wherein aluminum oxide in the barium calcium aluminum oxide is partially or fully replaced with boron oxide.

Assignments (4)
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jan 4, 2023
From: STARFIRE ENERGY, INC.
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 062272/0630 →
CONFIRMATORY LICENSE Recorded Jul 18, 2022
From: STARFIRE ENERGY, INC.
To: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
Reel/Frame 060530/0195 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2020
From: CADIGAN, CHRIS; O'HAYRE, RYAN
To: COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES
Reel/Frame 052727/0413 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 21, 2020
From: BEACH, JOSEPH D; WELCH, ADAM W; KINTNER, JONATHAN
To: STARFIRE ENERGY
Reel/Frame 052727/0417 →
Continuity (4)
Provisional Application 62931537 · Nov 6, 2019
Provisional Application 62801578 · Feb 5, 2019
Provisional Application 62799595 · Jan 31, 2019
Related Publication 20200277198A1 · Sep 3, 2020