Advances in Catalytic Hydrogenation of Liquid Organic Hydrogen Carriers (LOHCs) Using High‐Purity and Low‐Purity Hydrogen

• Published in: ChemCatChem 2024-11, Vol.16 (24), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Ramadhani, Safira, Dao, Quan Nguyen, Imanuel, Yoel, Ridwan, Muhammad, Sohn, Hyuntae, Jeong, Hyangsoo, Kim, Keunsoo, Yoon, Chang Won, Song, Kwang Ho, Kim, Yongmin
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Benzene; Biomass; Catalytic converters; Chemical reactions; Dehydrogenation; Diphenyl methane; Electrolysis; Endothermic reactions; Exothermic reactions; High‐purity hydrogen; Hydrogen; Hydrogen storage; Hydrogenation; Liquid organic hydrogen carrier; Mixed hydrogen; Naphthalene; Purity; Reforming; Toluene
• ISSN: 1867-3880; 1867-3899
• DOI: 10.1002/cctc.202401278

Liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) are emerging as a promising solution for global hydrogen logistics. The LOHC process involves two primary chemical reactions: hydrogenation for hydrogen storage and dehydrogenation for hydrogen reconversion. In the exothermic hydrogenation reaction, hydrogen‐lean compounds are converted to hydrogen‐rich compounds, storing hydrogen from various sources such as water electrolysis, fossil fuel reforming, biomass processing, and industrial by‐products. Conversely, hydrogen is extracted from hydrogen‐rich compounds through an endothermic dehydrogenation reaction and supplied to several hydrogenation utilization offtakers. This review article discusses the development trends in catalytic hydrogenation processes for various LOHC materials, including benzene, toluene, naphthalene, biphenyl‐diphenylmethane, benzyltoluene, dibenzyltoluene, and N‐ethylcarbazole. It introduces references for catalytic hydrogenation processes utilizing both high‐purity and low‐purity (alternatively, mixed) hydrogen feedstocks, with particular emphasis on low‐purity hydrogen applications. The direct storage of hydrogen with minimal purification, using by‐product hydrogen and mixed hydrogen from hydrocarbon and biomass reforming, is crucial for the economic viability of this hydrogen carrier system. This review examines liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs) as a solution for global hydrogen logistics. The LOHC process involves hydrogenation for storage and dehydrogenation for reconversion. Various LOHC materials and catalytic hydrogenation processes are discussed, focusing on high‐purity and low‐purity hydrogen feedstocks. The economic viability is emphasized, particularly in relation to direct storage of minimally purified hydrogen from diverse sources.