With the theme "Energy Transition, Decarbonization, and Reindustrialization with the use of Hydrogen", the 3rd Brazilian Hydrogen Congress, held from May 29th to 31st in Maricá (RJ), brought together representatives from academia and industry interested in discussing all aspects of the hydrogen value chain, particularly its commercialization and use. It also included representatives from government agencies involved in project development, regulations, and financing for the sector, as well as the Brazilian scientific community, focused on developing knowledge and enabling technologies for the hydrogen economy in Brazil.
The event presented projects and studies related to hydrogen production, storage, transportation, standardization, regulation, infrastructure development, and uses for mobility/transportation, electricity/heat generation, hydrogen carriers production, fertilizers, steel, decarbonized products with hydrogen, and others.
The researchers Eng. Guilherme Peixer, Dr. Julio Ferreira, and Eng. Paulo de Faria participated in the congress. In addition to attending plenary sessions and learning about and discussing vital public policies and industrial developments throughout the hydrogen value chain at the national and international levels, the Polo team also presented two papers at the congress.
Photo: Polo team at the 3rd Brazilian Hydrogen Congress
The paper titled "Computational Modeling of Direct Cooling with Phase Change of Proton Exchange Fuel Cells" was developed by Dr. Julio Ferreira, Eng. Paulo de Faria, Eng. Guilherme Peixer, Prof. Sergio Gonzalez, Prof. Amir Oliveira Jr., Prof. Jaime Lozano, and Prof. Jader Barbosa Jr. The objective was to computationally evaluate the performance of proton exchange fuel cells with thermal management systems using direct cooling with sprays. The technology has been studied by the Polo team for years, with the support of the National Institute of Science and Technology and under the leadership of Eng. Marcus Vinícius Carneiro. The effects of different system operating conditions, atomization strategies, heat transfer surface intensification, and advanced system architectures have already been evaluated. There is a great opportunity for the application of such systems in the automotive industry, where their use can increase energy efficiency and reduce the cost and volume of fuel-cell-powered vehicles. This activity is directly linked to EMBRAPII's Decarbonization, Mobility, and Logistics Network, of which the Polo is a part.
Research conducted at the Polo is awarded at the event
The work "Evaluation of Innovative Technologies for Hydrogen Liquefaction" received the Metalinox Cogne Hydrogen Technological Highlight award at the event as the best work presented. The award included a plaque commemorating the event and R$ 5,000.
Photo: Eng. Guilherme Peixer presents work on hydrogen liquefaction
Developed by Eng. Guilherme Peixer, Jhonatta Casagrande, Tamayo Dias, Eng. Yogan Sganzerla, Prof. Jaime Lozano, and Prof. Jader Barbosa Jr., the work aimed to evaluate different types of innovative technologies to optimize the hydrogen liquefaction process, assessing their potential for energy consumption reduction and implementation cost. Among the prospective technologies, magnetic refrigeration proved to be the most promising.
Photo: Metalinox Cogne Hydrogen Technological Highlight award
Projects in innovative technologies
Currently, the Polo is a global reference in the research and development of magnetic refrigeration systems for room temperature, having developed two of the most advanced prototypes to employ such technologies in the world, in projects with the support of the National Institute of Science and Technology (funded by CNPq, Fapesc, and Capes) and Embrapii.
Polo also has initiatives aimed at the development and optimization of systems for the thermal management of hydrogen fuel cells, as well as the technical and economic feasibility analysis of conventional and innovative technologies for hydrogen liquefaction. Strategic partnerships and research focused on hydrogen studies are increasingly being formalized at Polo/UFSC.
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Learn more about the 3rd Brazilian Hydrogen Congress here.
