Electrolysis: green hydrogen 1.0
Uses electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
The hydrogen gas is then cooled, compressed and stored in high-pressure tanks (350-700 bar) or deep cooled and liquified.
- High cost of equipment and production Electrolysis equipment cost
- Equipment for cooling, compression and storage system
- Requires approximately 65 kWh/kg of hydrogen
- Cooling and compression require a further 8 kWh/kg of hydrogen
- Storage requires significant space
Total electricity demand is about 73 kWh/kg of hydrogen.
Given Hydrogen provides about 33kWh/kg once cooling and compression losses are considered Electrolysis is less than 50% efficient
Hydrogen Generator
Split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases
Zn2H2: green hydrogen 2.0
We use a zinc-based chemical process to store energy and split water into hydrogen and oxygen gases with an electrode optimized to generate both hydrogen and oxygen gas sequentially.
Stores energy during charging in metallic zinc; Hydrogen is stored in the water of the electrolyte at ambient pressure and significantly higher density than pressurized or liquid hydrogen gas. During discharge the metallic zinc is converted into zincate and the cell releases hydrogen and 8.3 kWh of electricity per kg of hydrogen released – improving net efficiency and reducing total power demand.
Once energy is depleted, module can be recharged (52.3 kWh per kg of hydrogen capacity) like a battery by depositing the zinc at the negative electrode and release oxygen. Net power demand of 44 kWh per kg of hydrogen produced (80% efficiency – with little load dependency). The consumed water have to be refilled for each hydrogen production cycle.
On-demand, in-line production with no cooling, compression or pressurized storage required.
Eliminate high capital costs of electrolyzers and storage
Advantages of Zn2H2 hydrogen generator
Significantly reduces the high capital cost of electrolyzers and storage, while also greatly reducing the energy cost of production as well as investment required for green energy plants:
- No rare earth metals
- Significantly lower power and energy requirement than electrolysis for hydrogen production
- Energy density approaching 1000 Wh/liter
- Significantly lower power requirement than electrolysis for hydrogen production
20% of stored Energy released as electricity to either reduce net production energy for Hydrogen generation or reduce re-electrification investment (fuel cell / turbine) for energy storage applications.
Prototypes lab-tested to over 4,000 cycles (10+ year field life at one cycle per day).
Traditional Cell design and Bi-Polar Stack possible
Verification of Zn2H2 catalyst and charging protocols at Fraunhofer IZM
Project Partners & Cooperations
“On-demand, in-line hydrogen production with no cooling, compression or storage required.”
QUESTIONS?
Whether you’re curious about our technology or have questions in geneal, we’re here to answer any questions.