ChE 2026 Spring Seminar Series – Su Ha, PhD

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Title: Caustic Aqueous Phase Electrochemical Reforming (Caper) Technology For Process Intensified Hydrogen Production

Abstract:
Efficient production of compressed clean hydrogen (H₂) is essential for the transition to a sustainable and resilient energy network. However, conventional hydrogen-generation pathways face significant technical and economic barriers, including high energy consumption, limited efficiency, and the need for expensive new H2 transportation/storage infrastructures. These challenges underscore the need for a decentralized, energy‑efficient, and cost‑effective approach to clean hydrogen production.

Our Caustic Aqueous Phase Electrochemical Reforming (CAPER) technology directly addresses these challenges through a low‑voltage (≤ 0.5 V) electrochemical reforming process that operates at mild temperatures of ≤ 80 °C. CAPER is capable of generating high‑purity, high‑pressure H2 on demand in a single step, achieving nearly 100% faradaic efficiency while consuming ≤ 20 kWh per kilogram of H₂—representing a dramatic reduction in energy requirements compared with conventional electrolyzers.

A distinguishing advantage of CAPER technology is its capability to process diluted organic aqueous stream as its feed—such as raw bioethanol—without the need for energy‑intensive purification. In parallel, the system’s caustic reaction environment enables in‑situ capture of carbon dioxide (CO₂) generated during reforming, eliminating the need for separate gas‑cleanup steps. The captured CO₂ can then be directly routed into downstream conversion pathways to produce value‑added chemicals or solid carbon materials, further significantly decreasing the carbon intensity of the overall CAPER system. In summary, CAPER technology presents a transformative opportunity for decentralized clean and affordable H2 production with extremely low carbon intensity.

Bio: Su Ha is the George Austin Endowed Director and a professor in the Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering at Washington State University (WSU). He also serves as Director of the O.H. Reaugh Laboratory for Oil and Gas Processing Research. Dr. Ha joined WSU in 2005 as an assistant professor after earning his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemical engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, following a B.S. in chemical engineering from North Carolina State University.

Dr. Ha’s research centers on reactor design and catalyst development for sustainable chemical and energy conversions, spanning both electrochemical and thermochemical pathways. His group advances systems for distributed and affordable hydrogen production from biofuels and abundant natural gas resources; develops fuel cells capable of directly converting small organic molecules (e.g., formic acid) and logistic fuels (e.g., gasoline, biodiesel) into electrical power; integrates natural enzymes for bio‑electrochemical power generation from sugars; and designs processes for capturing and converting industrial CO₂ into high‑value solid materials. His team also leads innovations in electric‑field‑assisted reforming and aqueous‑phase electrochemical reforming reactors to enable efficient, economical production of green hydrogen.

Dr. Ha has published more than 110 peer‑reviewed papers in these areas, and his work has received over 6,400 citations with an h‑index of 32. In 2014, he was recognized as a Thomson Reuters Highly Cited Researcher for his influential contributions to energy and chemical reaction engineering. His research continues to advance pathways for cleaner, more efficient, and more sustainable energy technologies.