Researchers at Delft
University of Technology in the Netherlands earlier this year developed a
technology based on Thomas Edison’s 1901 nickel-iron battery. Their invention
is the Battolyser, a battery that doubles up as an electrolyzer and makes green
hydrogen.
“{They} used the same nickel-iron electrodes seen in
Edison’s designs. Then, they paired them with an alkaline electrolysis system
that is commercially available today.”
When the battery
is fully charged it can be used to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. They
claim the process is 85% efficient and can produce hydrogen at a lower cost
than similar technology. The tech uses a special-made type of stainless steel
that is corrosion-resistant and durable in the harsh electrolytic environment
of electrolyzers. It can be used to convert salty seawater into hydrogen. Stainless
steel is also cheaper than titanium often used for electrolyzers that tap
seawater. The corrosion resistance is enhanced by chromium (Cr) and manganese (Mn).
“Mn-contained stainless steel, with a high breakdown
potential of ∼1700 mV (saturated calomel electrode, SCE) in a 3.5 wt%
NaCl solution. Specifically, the conventional Cr-based and counter-intuitive
Mn-based passivation is sequentially activated during potentiodynamic
polarization. The Cr-based passive layer prevents corrosion at low potentials
below ∼720 mV(SCE), while the Mn-based passive layer resists
corrosion at high potentials up to ∼1700 mV(SCE). The present “sequential dual-passivation” strategy
enlarges the passive region of stainless steel to high potentials above water
oxidation, enabling them as potential anodic materials for green hydrogen
production via water electrolysis.”
Product life is estimated at 20-30 years.
“Battolyser systems are scalable and modular, and the
company intends to demonstrate this with their 2.5 MW module as early as next
year and follow up with a 5 MW system by Q2 of 2025. By late 2026, the company
intends to aim for 100-500 MW scale installations with 25 MW modules.”
Images are from the company's website.
According to the company’s website, the battolyser can be
used as a battery to help power the grid when intermittent renewables are not available
as well as produce hydrogen efficiently when those energy sources are
available. They note its advantage in conversion efficiency.
“Battolyser® offers unprecedented stack efficiency of up
to 85% at 30 barg outlet pressure. Save money on the largest cost component of
green hydrogen, which is power and produce pressurized hydrogen at a system
efficiency of 50.1 kWh/kg.”
The company also
operates R&D facilities that work on materials testing, electrochemical
characterization, prototypes, test stacks, and powder handling, as well as a
general laboratory, a workshop for building, and a quality control room.
References:
Battolyser:
Edison’s tech paves way for 100% emissions-free hydrogen. Ameya Paleja.
Interesting Engineering. June 25, 2024. Battolyser: Edison’s tech paves way
for 100% emissions-free hydrogen (msn.com)
Battolyser®:
Dutch clean tech innovation aiming to boost Europe's green energy sector. Damon
Embling. Euro News. June 25, 2024. Battolyser®: Dutch clean tech
innovation aiming to boost Europe's green energy sector | Euronews
New
stainless steel boosts green hydrogen production from seawater. Loukia
Papadopoulos. Interesting Engineering. November 19, 2023. New
stainless steel boosts green hydrogen production from seawater
Battolyser
Systems. Product features. Technology — BATTOLYSER
SYSTEMS
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