<div class="csl-bib-body">
<div class="csl-entry">Rodriguez Molano, L. C., & Harasek, M. (2024, June). <i>The Role of the Electrochemical Hydrogen Separator and Compressor (EHSC) in the Hydrogen Distribution and Transportation Infrastructure</i> [Conference Presentation]. 6th European Gas Technology Conference, EGATEC 2024, Hamburg, Germany.</div>
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dc.identifier.uri
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12708/199425
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dc.description.abstract
Hydrogen has been an essential component in the chemical industry, producing some of the indispensable products in daily life, such as ammonia required for fertilizer production and methanol used as a chemical precursor. This abundant element has also been an integral part of the energy industry, making it a highly pursued fuel with a rapidly growing demand. However, fossil-fuel-based processes responsible for significant greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions still cover a large share of this demand. Hydrogen production by water electrolysis powered by renewable energy is the most sustainable carbon-free route available. The produced green hydrogen is currently stored and transported via energy-intense and costly reprocessing methods, requiring a final reconversion of the chemical carrier for utilization in end-use applications such as fuel cells. Green hydrogen blending into existing natural gas pipelines is a potentially more sustainable and cost-effective solution for gas networks without repurposing capability. Although hydrogen and methane blends in gas grids have a long history, there are still significant challenges related to material durability, leakage, and safety.
In many European countries, the hydrogen admixture allowance in existing natural gas pipelines is 10vol%. However, researchers agree that 20vol% is the upper bound from which the infrastructure requires significant modifications. In this scenario, large quantities of energy are transported, requiring a downstream deblending technology for hydrogen recovery and supply. In addition, future EHSC applications arise from seasonal hydrogen storage in underground porous natural gas reservoirs, where the recovered gas is a hydrogen natural gas blend with varying compositions.
The novel electrochemical hydrogen separator and compressor (EHSC) is a promising technology among the separation systems. It selectively separates hydrogen and compresses it to delivery pressures, providing gas purities according to the international hydrogen fuel quality standards. This PEM-based system shares characteristics similar to fuel cells and electrolyzers in stack design and assembly. In EHSCs, gas mixtures, such as blended natural gas, are supplied to the anode. Here, hydrogen molecules are transported to the catalyst surface, splitting into two atoms and oxidizing to protons (H+) and electrons (e-). These protons are then diffused over the membrane and reduced on the cathode side, producing a highly pure hydrogen gas. This technology presents the significant advantage of providing a pressurized product, reducing the need for further mechanical compression systems for various end-use applications.
This study aims to review the current challenges in the blending and deblending methods and to provide insight into the development of EHSCs compared to the available separation methods for hydrogen deblending.
This research is supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) as part of the project Hydrogen Region East Austria goes Live (H2REAL), aiming to develop a hydrogen valley in the eastern region of Austria.
en
dc.description.sponsorship
FFG - Österr. Forschungsförderungs- gesellschaft mbH
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dc.language.iso
en
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dc.subject
Hydrogen deblending
en
dc.subject
Electrochemical Hydrogen Separator and Compressor (EHSC)
en
dc.title
The Role of the Electrochemical Hydrogen Separator and Compressor (EHSC) in the Hydrogen Distribution and Transportation Infrastructure
en
dc.type
Presentation
en
dc.type
Vortrag
de
dc.relation.grantno
FO999894621
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dc.rights.holder
Technische Universität Wien
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dc.type.category
Conference Presentation
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tuw.publication.invited
invited
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tuw.project.title
Hydrogen Region East Austria goes Live
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tuw.researchTopic.id
E6
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tuw.researchTopic.id
E3
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tuw.researchTopic.name
Sustainable Production and Technologies
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tuw.researchTopic.name
Climate Neutral, Renewable and Conventional Energy Supply Systems
