Clean hydrogen production by non-membrane electrolysis

Hydrogen as energy generates zero carbon emission at point of use. When produced by electrolysis from renewable sources, there is also zero carbon emission in production. Uptake of hydrogen-based solutions supports the UK's commitment to cut CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050 and there is tremendous potential for hydrogen as an energy carrier and energy store. There is a wide range of emerging applications for hydrogen, namely decarbonising of heat, powering fuel cells to displace combustion engines in transport and non-road machinery, and in electricity storage. Replacing conventional fuels in these sectors also delivers emissions and noise reductions to improve the local environment, especially air quality.

More than 95% of global hydrogen production is by steam methane reformation. This is largely a centralist activity in industrial plants and in general the carbon dioxide produced in the process is not captured.

Nowadays there is considerable and growing interest in electrolysis for hydrogen production using electricity from non-fossil fuels. Not only is this carbon-free, but also provides an opportunity for scaling of production to meet local demands, thus avoiding long supply chains from production to point of use.

Most of the current developments in electrolysers are based on membrane technologies to separate the mixed gases which are produced by electrolysis. Uniquely Clean Power Hydrogen are in the process of developing an innovative non-membrane electrolyser and gas separation system with the potential to deliver market-leading efficiencies and cost competitiveness, at the required levels of purity and with world-class levels of reliability and safety. The non-membrane solution avoids the high initial costs and high maintenance and replacement requirements of membrane-based solutions plus the avoidance of special metals which are characteristically required for Proton Exchange Electrolysers.

This project will enable rapid progress to be made in electrolyser technology, improving electrolyser design, safety and design and build processes. The outcome of the work will be a hydrogen production system which will be used to disseminate learning, demonstrate performance and move towards full commercialisation of this innovative technology.