Special Focus: Electrolyzer Technologies

Fuel cells and electrolyzers contain high-value precious metal electrocatalysts (platinum and iridium) which have limited supply, so their recovery is compulsory. The solid electrolyte in fuel cells and electrolyzers comprises perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA), which also has high value and should be recovered.

Keeping H₂ on tap is expensive, given the requirement for compression and high pressure and/or cryogenic storage. Assessing this premise, the model also considered a comparison between indirect energy storage through H₂ against a more direct form of energy storage using an onsite lithium battery.

Oxy-combustion with inherent carbon capture delivers the economical emissions cuts needed to meet these H₂ goals. Reimagining the problem as a solution, the process transforms CO₂ from a planet-warming waste stream to a working fluid integral to the process, enabling carbon’s inherent capture at a lower cost and lower emissions than comparable technologies.

Pipeline operations have a long tradition of stability. Like any industry with such a storied past, new solutions occasionally arrive on the market and offer some variation; however, successful operations generally rely on decades of standard operating procedures and expertise, with similar solutions utilized by most pipeline operators and businesses.

Widespread adoption of H₂ as a vehicle fuel depends on creating a refueling infrastructure that can safely deliver it to end users, including original equipment manufacturers and other stakeholders that are looking for long-term stability and solutions for their fleet-fueling needs.

To match regional supply and demand inequalities, it is important to find the most efficient solution to transport energy from one region to another—i.e., H₂ carriers, which are chemical molecules containing H₂.

According to the International Chamber of Shipping, the heavy industry sector will dominate global H₂ demand up to 2050, beginning with the South Korean, Japanese and European markets.

September’s H₂Tech Tech Spotlight consists of H₂-producing microbial technology, a model that fast-tracks H₂ supply chain infrastructure deployment, an advanced H₂transportation system and much more.

A typical steam methane reformer (SMR), which is a major process unit, easily consumes half as much natural gas for fuel as it reforms. The vast bulk of H₂ produced today still uses this approach.