Hydrogen Production

Energized Solutions: Advanced polymer piping systems for ultrapure water treatment and for cutting-edge electrolyser core technologies for sustainable hydrogen production.

Speak to an Expert Download Brochure

Green Energy Carrier

Green hydrogen is produced by harnessing clean energy from renewable sources, such as solar, wind and hydropower, and then employing electrolysis to split water into two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Water intended for electrolysis typically undergoes purification using standard reverse osmosis processes, often necessitating additional deionization steps to eliminate any remaining ions. We contribute to these applications with our solutions in the transportation of deionized water to scale up production while simultaneously reducing the capital cost of green hydrogen overall.

Benefits

Corrosion resistance

Plastic pipes prevent the risk of stack contamination due to their corrosion-free properties, which positively impact the stack’s performance and directly influence the cost of the hydrogen molecule.

Customized design

3D libraries, engineering support and off-site prefabrication helps to tailor piping systems for your individual hydrogen production plants, fine-tuning designs to reduce costs and complexity while enabling scalable production.

Chemical resistance

Their chemical resistance ensures consistent high purity of both the electrolyte and the produced hydrogen. Polymer piping systems maintain the quality of DI (deionized) water by reducing the leaching (dissolving) of corrosive or organic substances to a minimum and ensures high quality of the produced hydrogen.

Strong partnerships

We build strong long-term partnerships within the Hydrogen ecosystem. Our goal is to build an efficient partner network, where we bring different experts together, and boost new ideas and projects. By following the "Design Thinking“ approach, we learn from our customer effectively and efficiently to increase our knowledge of the market and solve technical and commercial challenges at a very early stage.

Ultrapure water consumption

The electrolysis of 9kg ultrapure water results in 1kg hydrogen, calculated based on the atomic composition of water. Typically, electrolysers consume 45–55 kWh per kg of hydrogen, equating to 0.16–0.2 l of ultrapure water per kWh resulting into 163–200 l/h of ultrapure water per MW of electrolyser capacity.1

1.Henrik Tækker MadsenWater (Oct 2022), Water treatment for hydrogen by EUROWATER, a Grundfos company.

Water treatment

Polymer piping systems have proven their unmatched durability and reliability, seamlessly operating in microelectronics plants known for their stringent requirements for ultrapure water (UPW). This underscores the exceptional capability of the water treatment process to produce UPW that meets the demands of electrolysis. We offer products spanning the entire process from raw water pretreatment to purification to UPW.

Our solution

Generating green hydrogen through electrolysis necessitates water of specific quality, dependent on the electrolyzer type, with varying impurity levels impacting operational costs, efficiency, and cell stack lifetime. Polypropylene piping systems like our PROGEF family portfolio offer excellent leach-out behavior, reducing ion content risk and enabling low conductivity rates, fostering optimal electrolyzer system performance.

Water treatment ​

Ion exchange

Ion exchanger secures the production of pure process water in industrial settings. They remove unwanted ions through selective resin beads and regenerate them during the process. The compact construction of ion exchange plants requires various piping solutions and components. GF Piping Systems provides complete solutions of high-quality piping systems, giving the maximum flexibility, while ensuring an entirely safe plant operation with a maximum uptime.

Reverse Osmosis

Reverse Osmosis technology is a filtering method by which contaminated water passes through a very fine membrane under high pressure and removes nearly all water pollution, such as minerals, bacteria, and other particles. Based on selective porosity of a semi-permeable membrane, impurities will be removed from a pressurized liquid. As this process requires no additional chemicals, energy consumption is low and handling is easy.

Combined technologies

Water treatment for electrolysis, specifically for achieving ultrapure quality, involves source-dependent pretreatment followed by various polishing steps. These steps range from softening to deionization, addressing issues like ion content, hardness, TOC, silica, and gases. Reverse osmosis (RO) effectively removes ions and molecules, while a final deionization step ensures low conductivities. Continuous treatment is essential for electrolysers like PEM and AEM, requiring internal side stream polishers for longevity.

Electrolyser technologies

Electrolysers are at the heart of the green hydrogen world. They break down water molecules into oxygen and hydrogen atoms through a process known as electrolysis, which requires electrical energy. For this process, plastic pipework systems transport various liquids and gases and ensure the cooling of electrolytes and gases, for example. To make green hydrogen more affordable, we support the longevity of plants with our corrosion-free solutions so that there is no downtime, which has a positive impact on the costs of this small molecule on its way through the value chain. 

Electrolyser applications

Alkaline Eletrolyser

Utilizing a liquid electrolyte solution such as potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide mixed with water, alkaline electrolysers (AEL, atmospheric) generate hydrogen in cells composed of an anode, cathode and membrane. These cells are typically arranged in series to produce hydrogen and oxygen simultaneously. The application of current prompts hydroxide ions to move through the electrolyte, producing hydrogen gas on the cathode side and oxygen gas on the anode.

Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyser

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyser employ a proton exchange membrane and a solid polymer electrolyte. Water splits into hydrogen and oxygen upon applying a current, with hydrogen protons passing through the membrane to form hydrogen gas on the cathode side. The efficiency and lifespan of PEM electrolysis depend significantly on the quality of the water input. High-purity water is crucial for optimal performance.

Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser

Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolyser (AEM), a low-temperature electrolysis method, utilizes polymeric AEM and cost-effective electrodes in a membrane electrode assembly. The anodic half-cell contains a dilute KOH electrolyte, while the cathodic half-cell, without liquid, produces hydrogen from water permeating the membrane. Oxygen is released from the anodic side. 

Cooling water

Water electrolysis

Chilled water on rooftops

Central cooling systems are vital for large-scale green hydrogen production, providing wet, dry, or hybrid cooling solutions. These systems are essential for various processes in green hydrogen facilities, such as rectifier cooling and hydrogen and oxygen gas cooling. Evaporative cooling, a widely adopted method, transfers heat through water, sacrificing a small percentage of water flow into the atmosphere. COOL-FIT, a state-of-the-art technology piping system, offers complete system integrity and a perfect seal, optimized for easy installation and over 25 years of maintenance-free operation, serving as a reliable alternative to metal piping systems.

Our solutions across the entire H2 value chain

Hydrogen

Corrosion-free and safe polymer piping systems for long-lasting hydrogen applications. Embark with us on the captivating journey of the universe's smallest molecule, accompanying it from production to distribution to usage.

Hydrogen Usage

Energized Solutions: Refuelling the future with thermoplastic piping systems transporting divers media within hydrogen fuel cell systems. We produce injection molded and extruded plastic components for safe and reliable hydrogen type IV storage tanks.

Hydrogen Distribution

Energized Solutions: Safety is paramount in the realm of hydrogen transport, which is why we've fortified our piping systems for the future. Our comprehensive piping components are suitable for 100% hydrogen, certified by KIWA (AR214) and DBI, ensuring secure transport of hydrogen.

Related systems and services