China has achieved a significant milestone in renewable energy by developing the world’s first megawatt-level seawater electrolyzer for hydrogen production.
The groundbreaking device, created by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC), successfully completed its test run, as reported by the Science and Technology Daily on Friday. This innovation marks a key breakthrough in offshore energy development and paves the way for sustainable energy solutions at sea.
According to CNOOC engineer Li Zhichuan, the electrolyzer’s core components are compact enough to fit within five shipping containers, facilitating easy deployment offshore. “It can produce 200 normal cubic meters of hydrogen per hour with a purity of 99.999 percent,” Li stated.
The system is designed to harness surplus electricity generated by offshore wind and solar farms. “Seawater electrolysis offers advantages over traditional freshwater electrolysis,” Li explained. “Seawater is abundant, making it a more practical resource for large-scale hydrogen production.”
One of the significant challenges in seawater electrolysis is the corrosive nature of seawater due to its complex composition. Li’s team overcame this obstacle by developing an innovative solution that allows raw seawater to be fed directly into the electrolyzer without prior purification. This advancement enables stable and cost-effective operation, enhancing the viability of offshore hydrogen production.
A CNOOC manager highlighted the potential impact of this technology, stating that it could establish a new model for green hydrogen-based energy consumption at sea. This development is expected to contribute substantially to global efforts in reducing carbon emissions and promoting clean energy.
Reference(s):
China debuts world's 1st megawatt seawater electrolyzer for hydrogen
cgtn.com
