Tracks

The Erasmus Mundus Master's program establishes 2 tracks:

YEAR 2 Semester 3 - UPC Specialization Track on:

• H2 production through catalytic reactors technologies
• Fuel cell systems engineering

H2 production through catalytic reactors technologies

Hydrogen (H2) energy technologies have emerged as promising long-term processes, with low (or even zero) carbon emissions and potentially feasible to implement for a deep decarbonization of sectors such as transport and industry. The ideal candidates for the next generation of hydrogen production processes are those capable of generating hydrogen from water and biomass-derived sources, such as bioalcohols and derived compounds, using catalytic and photocatalytic routes. Likewise, the requirements posed by low-temperature H2 fuel cells and the chemical industry make hydrogen purification mandatory to promote its practical implementation as an energy vector in multiple scenarios. Therefore, in this track, we will gain knowledge of catalytic reaction engineering, in order to offer the necessary background to understand the most common pathways for catalytic hydrogen production and purification routes.

Additionally, we will study advanced heterogeneous catalytic systems, such as structured catalytic reactors, microreactors, photocatalytic reactors or membrane catalytic reactors, among other configurations, in order to understand, predict and control the evolution of complex situations through the development of learning methodologies, which have been adapted to the specific scientific or technological field, generally multidisciplinary, of the enrolled students.

Fuel cell systems engineering

Fuel and electrolyser cells offer an efficient way to convert power-to-fuel and fuel-to-power to other energy conversion and storage technologies. These systems have a great potential to become a cornerstone in a future sustainable energy system. Low temperature fuel and electrolyser cell technology is particularly interesting for transport applications, for example in cars, trucks, busses, boats and even airplanes, but also for back-up power and portable electronics. In contrast, high temperature cell technology can be suitable for multiple applications from use as auxiliary power units in vehicles to stationary power generation in building or marine applications. The development of large-scale energy storage and energy conversion technologies is needed to improve the efficiency of energy storage and conversion processes and solve the mismatch of energy supply and demand. The cell system is complex, and everything from the details of the cell components, to how the cell is operated and controlled, to how the hydrogen fuel is produced, distributed, and stored needs to be optimized for cells to become a viable option for energy conversion.

In this track, we will get an introduction to the critical components in the fuel and electrolyser cells as well as to the system integration around the cell, how they operate and how to control them. Therefore, the students will be exposed to concepts from material and chemical engineering, fluid mechanics, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, heat transfer, manufacturing and electrical and electronics engineering as they apply to cell systems. This is a true multidisciplinary track. The interdisciplinary nature of the track requires a team teaching approach with backgrounds in multiple engineering.