{"title":"Chapter 1. Introduction to Electrolysis, Electrolysers and Hydrogen Production","authors":"K. Scott","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00001","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter provides a broad introduction to electrolysis and the use of electrolysers, using electricity via various routes to produce hydrogen. Increased hydrogen supplies using cleaner methods are seen as essential for potential hydrogen-based power for transportation and renewable energy conversion into fuel. Issues related to the use of hydrogen as an energy vector are discussed, including its generation and storage and distribution. A brief treatment of electrolysis cells for hydrogen production is included and put into context with other methods, both old, new and under development. This includes methods that use renewable energy, solar energy via photo-electrochemical cells and thermal, gasification and biological processes.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"3 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"131518654","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
T. Bystron, M. Paidar, T. Klicpera, M. Schuster, K. Bouzek
{"title":"Chapter 3. Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers: Materials, Construction and Performance","authors":"T. Bystron, M. Paidar, T. Klicpera, M. Schuster, K. Bouzek","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00059","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00059","url":null,"abstract":"Development of perfluorinated sulphonated acids (PFSAs) polymer electrolyte membranes brought about an important revolution in the design of electrolysis technology. Although originally targeted to the brine electrolysis process, it has found an irreplaceable position in a number of different technologies including energy conversion technologies utilising hydrogen. Although PFSA-based proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells (FCs) are quite well established, the use of PEM in water electrolysis (WE) is an emerging technology. This chapter provides a review on the currently accepted state-of-the-art materials and components used in PEMWE, as well as introducing the main challenges and outlooks to their future solutions documented on selected current trials. Although a significant amount of information on PEMWE process can be derived from PEMFC technology, many questions remain, due to the fundamental differences in these two technologies. These include more extreme electrode potentials, caused predominantly by the sluggish oxygen evolution reaction (OER) kinetics and use of water acting as a reactant. These two aspects result in greater demands on the construction materials, which are significantly different from PEMFC technology. Individual components will be discussed starting from the catalysts and polymer electrolytes used and continuing to the single electrode, to the cell and cell stack construction.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"1 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129623794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chapter 8. Other Polymer Membrane Electrolysis Processes","authors":"D. Bessarabov","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00286","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00286","url":null,"abstract":"This chapter commences with briefly addressing the various types of solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs), including ionically conducting phases, organically modified ceramic polymers, polymers in which nitrogen acts as a mediator for proton conduction, sulphonated polymers, and some anion-exchange materials. Emphasis is on sulphonic-containing perfluorinated ionomers, such as Nafion. A brief overview is then given of the many diverse fields of application of micro-heterogeneous SPE-based membranes in the processes involved in eletrocatalysis and water electrolysis. The chapter concludes with mention of current trends in research and possible future applications of electrocatalytic membrane processes.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"55 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134167792","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
G. Saur, Daniel Desantis, B. James, C. Houchins, E. Miller
{"title":"Chapter 10. Economics and Perspectives of Hydrogen Electroproduction Techniques","authors":"G. Saur, Daniel Desantis, B. James, C. Houchins, E. Miller","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00350","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00350","url":null,"abstract":"Techno-economic analysis (TEA) plays a critical role in assessing the cost of a technology relative to the current market, in identifying high impact areas for research and development investment, and in informing relevant stakeholders. In this chapter we discuss three main topics: (1) an overview of TEA, its processes, methods, and considerations for developing a good TEA framework; (2) description of the U.S. Department of Energy's H2A Production Model which is used for evaluating their portfolio of hydrogen production research; and (3) a synopsis of currently published H2A case studies illustrating the application of techno-economic analysis to hydrogen production technologies. These technologies include polymer membrane and solid oxide electrolysis, photo-electrochemical, methane steam reforming, coal gasification and use of biomass (via gasification or bio-derived liquids) and solar thermal routes to hydrogen. From the analyses comparisons between various technological approaches can be made in terms of costs, implementation, investment and versatility.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"139 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"123772703","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Jensen, C. Chatzichristodoulou, E. Christensen, N. Bjerrum, Qingfeng Li
{"title":"Chapter 7. Intermediate Temperature Electrolysers","authors":"J. Jensen, C. Chatzichristodoulou, E. Christensen, N. Bjerrum, Qingfeng Li","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00253","url":null,"abstract":"The well-established electrolysers belong either to the low temperature class, working at temperatures up to ca. 100 °C (the alkaline electrolyser and the PEM electrolyser) or to the high temperature class, operating at temperatures of ca. 600 °C and above (the solid oxide electrolyser). Intermediate temperature refers to the wide temperature gap between these temperatures. In this chapter, some overarching reflections on the implications of operating electrolysers at intermediate temperatures are followed by three examples of such technologies. The examples chosen are an alkaline electrolyser working at 200–250 °C, a PEM electrolyser working at 120–130 °C and a system based on solid or molten phosphates aiming at CO2 reduction at 200–350 °C.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"17 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"127824019","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J. Linares, C. Vieira, João Barberino Santos, M. Magalhães, J. R. Santos, L. L. Carvalho, R. Reis, F. Colmati
{"title":"Chapter 4. Electrochemical Reforming of Alcohols","authors":"J. Linares, C. Vieira, João Barberino Santos, M. Magalhães, J. R. Santos, L. L. Carvalho, R. Reis, F. Colmati","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00094","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00094","url":null,"abstract":"With the emergence of the hydrogen economy, an intense search for economical sources of hydrogen is mandatory. In this sense, the electrochemical reforming of alcohols in proton or alkaline exchange membrane electrolysis cells has emerged as a solid alternative for hydrogen production in contrast to water electrolysis. The main attraction of this technology is the lower theoretical energy demand ascribed to the alcohol vs. water electro-oxidation. Methanol, ethanol, and, recently, glycerol and ethylene glycol are the most extensively used alcohols because they are obtained from environmentally sustainable processes. Electrochemical reforming of alcohols faces similar challenges as direct alcohol fuel cells. The development of active electrocatalysts for alcohol electro-oxidation is crucial for the success of electrochemical reforming. Thus, this chapter is devoted to the state-of-the-art electrocatalysts for alcohol oxidation and their application in electroreformers, both in acidic medium, in which Pt-based materials appear to be the most active, and alkaline medium, in which a wider spectrum of metals has been proposed successfully. In this sense, Pd-based electrocatalysts are considered competitive in comparison to Pt. Although significant advances have been achieved, there is still room for improvements, with the incentive of making this technology more competitive.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"59 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"126692503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chapter 2. Alkaline Electrolysers","authors":"R. Phillips, W. Gannon, C. Dunnill","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00028","url":null,"abstract":"Alkaline electrolysers provide a simple, cheap and efficient electrochemical route to hydrogen production. Coupled with renewable electricity generation sources it has the potential to provide large scale, long term energy storage, grid balancing and enhanced energy transport. Recent advances in electrode materials, cell design and membrane performance have increased the cost effectiveness of the technology towards a level where the industry for alkaline electrolysers is booming; indeed units of above 1 MW are already being used in the field, and the sector looks set for more increases in capacity and system sizes in the near future. This chapter introduces the theory that underpins alkaline electrolysis, including the underlying thermodynamics and electrode kinetics that govern the process. The individual components that make up the cell are introduced and the current state of research of each part is investigated to provide a comprehensive discussion of the full system. The overall status of the technology is reviewed, with the performance of commercial systems compared and the future prospects of the technology are discussed.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"46 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"124164108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chapter 5. Solid Oxide Electrolysers","authors":"S. Y. Gómez, D. Hotza","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00136","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00136","url":null,"abstract":"Hydrogen is the most abundant element of the known Universe although its abundance in pure form on the Earth today is negligible since most of it is bound to other elements. However, hydrogen is now being seized by several technological developments as a means of energy storage. In this chapter we present the development efforts and broad panorama on solid oxide electrolysers (SOECs), in particular focusing on the operation principles and components of this environmentally friendly pathway to produce hydrogen. Solid Oxide Electrolyte Cells are advanced electrochemical devices in which H2 is produced from water and O2 is the only by-product. SOEC technology is particularly attractive in comparison to other electrolyser cell technologies due to thermodynamical advantages for electrolysis cells to operate at high temperatures (450 to 1000 °C). SOEC is seen as the technology of the future for large H2 production, since currently several feasible benign routes for energy generation are being developed coupling solid oxide electrolysers with other renewables. These hybrid technologies are capable of producing energy and store by employing hydrogen as the energy carrier. In this chapter we present the brief historical background of SOECs and their operation principles, including the electrochemical-energetic aspects and the current state of oxygen ion and proton conducting electrolysers. The most-used and novel materials are also summarized. Moreover, the trends in the area are shown and suggestions are given to overcome the known drawbacks and to improve the performance and economic feasibility, in order to enhance the commercialization of SOEC technology.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"478 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"129719859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Chapter 11. Conclusions: Electrolytic Hydrogen Production and Sustainable Routes","authors":"K. Scott","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00392","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00392","url":null,"abstract":"Although currently the vast majority of hydrogen is produced more cheaply from fossil fuels than any other methods, this production is, longer term, unsustainable as fuel sources become depleted and also as carbon emissions increase worldwide. Consequently other more sustainable routes are in need of development based on sustainable feedstocks and/or sustainable energy sources. Hydrogen fuel has great potential for energy markets, such as transportation, commercial and utility power and the diversity of hydrogen production technologies is an advantage. Electrolysers that produce hydrogen can play a major role in energy supply in several scenarios. This chapter provides an overview of technologies associated with various processes for generation of hydrogen using more sustainable methods. These include methods based on using renewable energy sources of wind and solar to provide the energy directly to power electrolytic or photoelectrochemical decomposition of water to hydrogen (and oxygen). Use of renewable electricity generation using wind and solar are seen as routes to reduce operating costs of electrolysers.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"24 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"128664141","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. Shabani, Reza Omrani, S. Mohammadi, Biddyut Paul, J. Andrews
{"title":"Chapter 9. Unitised Regenerative Fuel Cells","authors":"B. Shabani, Reza Omrani, S. Mohammadi, Biddyut Paul, J. Andrews","doi":"10.1039/9781788016049-00306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/9781788016049-00306","url":null,"abstract":"A unitised regenerative fuel cell (URFC) is a single cell or stack of cells that can operate as a fuel cell (FC) or an electrolyser (E). In the E-mode, by supplying the required power, water splits into oxygen and hydrogen that is stored and can be used to generate power in the FC-mode. This technology has great potential to become part of a viable sustainable energy storage solution to support renewable energy systems. However, the technology is yet to achieve maturity for commercialisation as the remaining challenges associated with performance, durability and cost need to be adequately addressed. In this chapter, the different types of URFCs are introduced with particular emphasis on proton exchange membrane (PEM) URFCs. The design considerations at components level (i.e. MEA, catalyst layer, gas diffusion layer, and bipolar plates) as well as stack and system levels are discussed. This chapter also discusses the main challenges to be addressed and future prospects for further improvement of this technology.","PeriodicalId":106382,"journal":{"name":"Electrochemical Methods for Hydrogen Production","volume":"39 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2019-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"130784828","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}