System comprising a decomposition unit for use on board of a vehicle

Abstract

The system for use on board of a vehicle comprises a decomposition unit ( 2 ) for decomposing a compound under catalysis of a biological catalyst ( 3 ). The compound is for instance an ammonia precursor, and the biological catalyst is in solid form. At least one transfer means is present for transferring one of said compound and biological catalyst towards and/or away from the other one. The transfer means are for instance a moving device ( 15 ), for instance in the form of a float.

1 . A system, comprising:
 a decomposition unit for decomposing a compound under catalysis by a biological catalyst; and   at least one transfer unit for:
 transferring one of either the compound or the biological catalyst towards the other one of the compound and the biological catalyst to establish contact, so as to decompose the compound under catalysis by the biological catalyst, and 
 transferring the one of either the compound or the biological catalyst away from the other one of the compound and the biological catalyst, so as to separate the compound from the biological catalyst when decomposition is to be terminated or interrupted. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit is a moving device for moving the biological catalyst towards and away from the compound. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the moving device is an actuator. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the moving device is a floating device. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the floating device is configured for being overflowed by a liquid composition comprising the compound when a vehicle comprising the system moves, so as to bring the biological catalyst and the compound into contact. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 2 , further comprising a thermal conditioning unit for thermal conditioning of the biological catalyst, when it is not in contact with the compound. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the transfer unit comprises at least one fluid transfer device for transfer of the compound towards and away from the biological catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a buffer tank into which the compound or a composition comprising the compound can be transferred so as to separate the compound from the biological catalyst. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , further comprising a heater for activating the biological catalyst. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a magnetic device for attracting the biological catalyst that is immobilized on a magnetic support. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the decomposition unit is configured for conversion of an ammonia precursor into an ammonia composition. 
     
     
         12 . A vehicle, comprising the system of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         13 . A method for decomposing a compound on board of a vehicle comprising a decomposition unit provided with one of either of the compound or a biological catalyst, the method comprising:
 transferring at least one of the compound and the biological catalyst to establish contact between both, so as to decompose the compound under catalysis by the biological catalyst; and   transferring at least one of the compound and the biological catalyst, so as to separate the compound and the biological catalyst from each other, when decomposition is to be terminated or interrupted.   
     
     
         14 . A process, comprising:
 transferring a biological catalyst, a compound, or both, with the system of  claim 1 , such that the biological catalyst and the compound are in contact with each other; and   decomposing the compound in the decomposition unit with the biological catalyst immobilized on a carrier,   wherein the decomposition unit is on board of a vehicle.   
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 14 , wherein the compound is an ammonia precursor or a hydrogen precursor. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system is adapted to function on board of a vehicle.