A high-efficiency seawater electrolysis hydrogen production system, developed by a research team led by Professor Wang Erdong at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has recently begun demonstration operations.
Source: China Science Daily
A high-efficiency seawater electrolysis hydrogen production system, developed by a research team led by Professor Wang Erdong at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has recently begun demonstration operations. The system, with a production capacity of 20 standard cubic meters of hydrogen per hour at 100 kW, is being tested at the Huaneng Zhuanghe Offshore Wind Farm in Dalian. So far, it has been running stably, with all performance metrics meeting design expectations.
Since its completion and commissioning in September 2024, the system has undergone ongoing performance evaluations. It has shown stable and reliable operation, with the electrolyzer's cell voltage dropping to as low as 1.59 volts (at 3000 amps per square meter) and a DC energy consumption of 3.80 kWh per standard cubic meter of hydrogen. The hydrogen produced has a purity exceeding 99.999%.
To further assess the system's ability to handle fluctuations in renewable energy output, the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics has partnered with Huaneng Liaoning Clean Energy Company for a joint demonstration at the Zhuanghe Offshore Wind Farm. The system has proven adaptable to the output characteristics of offshore wind power, demonstrating the reliability and advanced capabilities of seawater electrolysis hydrogen production technology. This successful demonstration lays a solid foundation for the large-scale application of the technology.
The system incorporates several core innovations developed by Professor Wang Erdong’s team in seawater-based hydrogen production, including high-performance electrodes, a new low-cost electrolyzer, a seawater electrolysis process capable of adapting to a wide range of power outputs, and a highly reliable system architecture. These advancements ensure stable, reliable, and efficient operation under complex conditions.