Entries by hssmi

Journal publication – CNR-ITAE & Solvay

In September 2023, researchers from CNR-ITAE and Solvay Specialty Polymers published an article on the development of Ce-radical scavenger-based perfluorosulfonic acid Aquivion® membrane for high pressurised PEM electrolysers, shedding light on their findings and contribution towards the ADVANCEPEM project.  

 

Abstract

Ce-radical scavenger-based perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) Aquivion® membrane (C98 05S-RSP) was developed and assessed for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser applications. The membrane, produced by Solvay Specialty Polymers, had an equivalent weight (EW) of 980 g/eq and a thickness of 50 m to reduce ohmic losses at a high current density. The electrochemical properties and gas crossover through the membrane were evaluated upon the formation of a membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) in a range of temperatures between 30 and 90 ˚°C and at various differential pressures (ambient, 10 and 20 bars). Bare extruded (E98 05S) and reinforced (R98 05S) PFSA Aquivion® membranes with similar EWs and thicknesses were assessed for comparison in terms of their performance, stability and hydrogen crossover under the same operating conditions. The method used for the membrane manufacturing significantly influenced the interfacial properties, with the electrodes affecting the polarisation resistance and H2 permeation in the oxygen stream, as well as the degradation rate, as observed in the durability studies.

Figure 1 - Scheme of the experimental setup.

View the article here.

EFC2023 Conference – CNR-ITAE

Abstract

The direct production of highly pressurised hydrogen from electrolytic water splitting can save relevant amounts of energy compared to down-stream gas compression. The aim of ADVANCEPEM is to develop a novel polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyser which can produce hydrogen at very high pressures (200 bar) thus reducing the energy consumption required for post-compression. Very pure and high-pressure electrolytic hydrogen can be directly used in various industrial processes such as ammonia synthesis requiring up to 200-300 bar, hydrogenation of oils and other hydrogenation processes in refineries requiring feed pressures up to 200-250 bar, methanol synthesis requiring 70 bar etc. and for direct injection into the high-pressure gas grid (∼ 80 bar).  

Another key goal is development of a cost-effective technology enabling large-scale application of PEM electrolysers. A significant reduction of capital costs will be achieved by minimising critical raw materials, developing low-cost coated bipolar plates, operation of the electrolyser at a high production rate while maintaining high efficiency (about 80% vs. HHV) and safe operation. ADVANCEPEM aims to develop a set of breakthrough solutions at materials, stack and system levels to increase hydrogen pressure to 200 bar and current density to 5 A/cm2 for the base load, while keeping the nominal energy consumption <50 kWh/kg H2. Reinforced Aquivion® polymer membranes with enhanced conductivity, high glass transition temperature and increased crystallinity, able to withstand high differential pressures, will be developed for this application. This innovative membrane will be operated at high temperature 90-140 °C under high pressure to provide for increased energy efficiency. To mitigate hydrogen permeation to the anode and related safety issues, efficient recombination catalysts will be integrated into both membrane and anode structure.  

The new technology will be validated by demonstrating a high-pressure electrolyser of 50 kW nominal capacity with a production rate of about 24 kg H2/day in an industrial environment. The project will also deliver a techno-economic analysis to assess reduction of the electrolyser CAPEX and OPEX. The consortium comprises an electrolyser manufacturer, membrane and catalyst supplier, a membrane electrode assembly (MEA) developer and an end-user for demonstrating the system. 

Figure 1 - Stefania Siracusano, researcher at CNR-ITAE, presenting the ADVANCEPEM project at the EFC23 Conference in Capri (Italy).

ADVANCEPEM Project Updates & 6M Consortium Meeting

The third meeting of the ADVANCEPEM Consortium took place on the 5th of September 2023 in Messina Italy.

It was hosted by CNR-ITAE and was a great opportunity for each partner to present an update on their respective Work Packages and to plan submission of upcoming key technical deliverables and delivery of project milestones over the next six months. Overall, the partners were very happy with the progress so far and were confident the next milestones will be delivered on time.

The past six months of the project have been very productive with the following six deliverables submitted to the EU for approval according to the project timelines:

  • 1 Project Management Plan (M2)
  • 1 Design for validating 50kW, 200 bar electrolyser at Niederaussem (M2)
  • 1 Project Website and Identity (M3)
  • 1 Harmonised test protocols (M6)
  • 2 Data Management Plan (M6)
  • 3 First Dissemination and Exploitation Plan (M6)

The partners agreed to continue scheduling alternating online and in-person Consortium meetings every three months, with the next meeting (M9) being held online, and the one-year (M12) meeting taking place at Solvay in Bollate, Italy.

Below is the summary of deliverables D7.1 and D2.1.

D7.1 – Design for validating 50 kW, 200 bar electrolyser at Niederaussem

The Deliverable 7.1 is a technical document that defines the most important technical, health, safety and environmental standards, technical parameters and boundary conditions the partners Oort Energy, HSSMI and RWEP shall adhere to and need to consider, for their activities on the industrial demonstrations site, especially regarding the installation, commissioning and testing of new developed technology. The document is a prerequisite for the engineering of the 50 kW and 200 bar PEM electrolyser and provides the first data, process sketches and input and outlet steams to inform the permitting authorities.

 

D2.1 – Harmonised test protocols

The deliverable establishes a benchmark for electrolyser components against which development progress can be assessed in terms of durability, performance and cost. Harmonised terminology, procedures and characterisation protocols developed in previous FCH JU/ CLEAN HYDROGEN JU projects are implemented for high pressure and high temperature PEM electrolyser systems. Ex situ and in situ characterisation of membranes, catalysts, electrodes, and MEA assessment in single cell testing is addressed. Protocols to assess stack and system durability, dynamic behaviour and degradation in steady-state and accelerated stress tests are implemented. A protocol for stack failure analysis and procedures relating to safety issues and response plan as well as to the procedures for validation of quantitative project targets is established. Testing procedures for single cells, stacks and electrolysis systems under standard operating conditions are established in accordance with the Harmonised Testing Procedures by the European Commission Joint Research Centre (JRC). The collaboration with JRC addresses a further development of test protocols and procedures for performance and durability assessment of electrolysers operating at high pressure and temperatures. The project will provide information to JRC on safety aspects for advanced high temperature, high pressure electrolyser technology. Safety-related events that may occur during the execution of this project will be reported to JRC who manage the European hydrogen safety reference database, HIAD.

Figure 1 - ADVANCEPEM partners at the CNR-ITAE laboratories (Messina, 05/09/2023)