Enrico Tronconi, lecturer at the Department of Energy of Politecnico di Milano, is one of the winners of the third edition of the Scientific Challenge organised by Air Liquide to encourage the development of innovative solutions for the decarbonisation of industrial ecosystems: this year, the company selected the best three out of 119 proposals received from 29 countries.

Prof. Tronconi was the winner in the “Electric heating for hydrogen production” category.
One way to decarbonise hydrogen production is to electrify the heat required for the methane steam reforming reaction, using electricity from renewable sources. However, achieving the reaction temperature of 800°C using electricity is a challenge. Prof Tronconi’s proposal is a new technological solution based on the resistive heating of structured catalysts. This solution helps to reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions required for hydrogen production.

By winning the prize, Prof Tronconi has received funding from Air Liquide and a three-year collaboration with the company’s experts to develop his proposal into a market-ready technology.