Development of Electrodes & modular Compact Membrane less Electrolyzer set up for sustainable H2 production from sea/tap/ground water
Subcategory (under Clean Energy): Hydrogen
Technology Readiness Level (TRL): TRL 5 - Large prototype
Technology Outline (Process Description)
Multiple novel metal free and cost effective chloride resistant electrodes capable of reaching 1.0 to 2.0 A/cm2 at ~2.1 V (3 electrode set up) with durability up to 1000 h in saline water is developed and well characterized. Modular, membrane less and compact flow through electrolyzer unit to handle sea and low grade waters is developed and demonstrated at lab scale.
The electrolyzer is capable of producing H2 with more than 99% and O2 with ~98% purity. The capital cost of the developed electrolyzer system is superior compared to that of the conventional PEM, membrane based alkaline and Solid oxide electro- lyzer systems. The pilot scale unit (1 m3/h) unit is currently under fabrication process with the help of external manufacturers. As per the cost estimation of the system, in presence of solar electricity, the cost of H2 is calculated to be ~2 dollar/kg of H2. With the help of industrial manufacturer (Spirare pvt. Ltd.) units with capacities of 0.2 and 1.0 m3/h H2 production capacity are under progress.
Salient Features/Advantages
Developed chloride resistant nanocatalyst coated electrodes and membrane less flow through modular electrolyzer system to directly use sea and low grade water for production of green H2. The estimated cost of H2 produced from the developed system is ~2 $, which is likely to come down further with decrease in cost of solar electricity. A small scale prototype is already fabricated for demonstration purposes. The system has high commercialization potential.
Key Outcomes
- Chloride resistant durable electrodes
- Membrane less flow through modular electrolyzer
- Direct H2 from sea/tap water
- Production cost of H2 @ 2 $/kg
- Demonstration of prototype
IP Protection details
- Patent filed (Title, national/International): 1. Indian Patent Application No. 202111058961, Title: “metal nitride based nanocatalyst with protective conductive CN-coating modified bi-functional electrodes”. 2. Indian Patent Application No. 202211011767, Title: “layered electrode for seawater electrolysis. 3. Indian Patent Application No. 202211015887, Title: “three-dimensional electrode for seawater electrolysis”
- Patents Granted: Nil
- Copyrights obtained /progress on commercialisation /Pl. specify connect with industry: NTPC is our industry partner and the plan is to develop different commercial scale electrolyzer unit by the end of next year, 2024. Spirare pvt. Ltd. is our partner in manufacturing process
Contact details (for more information)
- Nodal Person name: Prof. A. S. K. Sinha (PI) and Prof. U. Ojha (Co-PI)
- Email ID: asksinha@rgipt.ac.in and uojha@rgipt.ac.in
- Organisation name (Relevant link/web page): Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology
Supporting Photographs/Images
Organizations involved in the development (logo/name) Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Petroleum Technology NTPC Energy Technology Research Alliance |