A cooling system utilizing the endothermic conversion of para- to ortho-hydrogen has the potential to meet the requirements for thermal management in hydrogen-fueled injection vehicles. This project will determine the feasibility of developing such a cooling system using new, alumina-supported formulations as catalysts for the conversion of para- and ortho-hydrogen. New catalyst materials will be prepared to contain paramagnetic, transition-metal ions dispersed in high-surface-area, porous alumina. They will be prepared using various methods: super-homogeneous co-precipitation, sol-gel formation, support impregnation, and combinations of these. These catalysts will be characterized by determination of metal-ion content, total surface area, pore volume and average diameter, and magnetic susceptibilities. Various activation techniques will be applied to determine their influence on catalytic activities. These will be evaluated by measuring the rate of conversion of ortho- to para-hydrogen upon cooling from ambient temperatures to liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Potential Commercial Application:
Potential Commercial Applications: A market exists for catalysts used for the conversion of ortho- to para-hydrogen during hydrogen liquefaction.
