Hydrogen, Volume 5, Issue 2 (June 2024) – 3 articles

The global push for sustainable energy has heightened the demand for green hydrogen, which is crucial for decarbonizing heavy industry. However, current electrolysis plant capacities are insufficient. This research addresses the challenge through optimizing large-scale electrolysis construction via standardization, modularization, process optimization, and automation. This paper introduces H₂Giga, a project for mass-producing electrolyzers, and HyPLANT100, investigating large-scale electrolysis plant structure and construction processes. Modularizing electrolyzers enhances production efficiency and scalability. The integration of AutomationML facilitates seamless information exchange. A digital twin concept enables simulations, optimizations, and error identification before assembly. While construction site automation provides advantages, tasks like connection technologies and handling cables, tubes, and hoses require pre-assembly. This study identifies key tasks suitable for automation and estimating required components. The Enapter Multicore electrolyzer serves as a case study, showcasing robotic technology for tube fittings. In conclusion, this research underscores the significance of standardization, modularization, and automation in boosting the electrolysis production capacity for green hydrogen, contributing to ongoing efforts in decarbonizing the industrial sector and advancing the global energy transition. Full article

Hydrogen plays a leading role in achieving a future with net zero greenhouse gas emissions. The present challenge is producing green hydrogen to cover the fuel demands of transportation and industry to gain independence from fossil fuels. This review’s goal is to critically demonstrate the existing methods of biomass treatment and assess their ability to scale up. Biomass is an excellent hydrogen carrier and biomass-derived processes are the main target for hydrogen production as they provide an innovative pathway to green hydrogen production. Comparing the existing processes, thermochemical treatment is found to be far more evolved than biological or electrochemical treatment, especially with regard to scaling prospects. Full article

Hydrogen permeation sparked a renewed interest in the second half of the 20th century due to the favorable features of this element as an energy factor. Furthermore, niche applications such as nuclear fusion gained attention for the highest selectivity ensured by self-supported dense metallic membranes, especially those consisting of Pd-based alloys. In this framework, the ENEA Frascati laboratories have decades of experience in the manufacturing, integration, and operation of Pd-Ag permeators. Most of the experimental investigations were performed on single-tube membranes, proving their performance under relevant operational conditions. Nowadays, once the applicability of this technology has been demonstrated, the scalability of the single-tube experience over medium- and large-scale units must be verified. To do this, ENEA Frascati laboratories have designed and constructed a multi-tube permeator, namely the Medium-Scaled Membrane Reactor (MeSMeR), focused on scalability assessment. In this work, the results obtained with the MeSMeR facility have been compared with previous experimental campaigns conducted on single-tube units, and the scalability of the permeation results has been proven. Moreover, post-test simulations have been performed based on single-tube finite element modeling, proving the scalability of the numerical outcomes and the possibility of using this tool for scale-up design procedures. Full article