Fraunhofer IMM

Fraunhofer IMM is part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft e.V. – the world’s leading applied research organization. The Division Energy at Fraunhofer IMM devises mobile and stationary systems for hydrogen supply from a variety of feedstocks. It develops individual components as well as constructing reformer and cracker units suitable for all types of fuel cells.

At the GAMMA project, Fraunhofer IMM contributes to the development of fuel processor technology, particularly methanol-reforming and ammonia-cracking processes. The hydrogen produced from bio-methanol and ammonia via IMM catalytic processes is subsequently purified by pressure swing adsorption to be finally used in fuel cells.

IMM technologies at the GAMMA project

Fraunhofer IMM makes a significant contribution in the fields of methanol-reforming and ammonia-cracking.

The proprietary IMM catalyst formulation finds application in methanol steam-reforming in microstructure reactors, ensuring more compact processes and long-term stable operation.

The IMM microreactor technology ensures better heat management and higher conversion into hydrogen. Its intensified design allows for more efficient heat integration and, consequently, high energy efficiency for the whole process.

IMM ammonia cracker technology achieves approximately 90 percent process efficiency, much higher than the 70 percent offered by conventional cracking technology. This is thanks to its integration with a pressure swing adsorption (PSA) unit for hydrogen purification, which enables the use of tail gasses. This distinctive characteristic also leads to a lower carbon dioxide footprint in hydrogen supply than that achieved from electrically heated reactors.

Finally, the IMM technological approach reduces reactors in size by up to 90 percent, which is particularly advantageous for mobile and space-limited applications.