Chinese companies explore seawater hydrogen production

Can seawater, a familiar resource in daily life, be linked to vehicle energy consumption? Perhaps, what comes to mind is a scene of cars shuttling along the seaside, powered by the magnificent ocean.

Recently, the research project on factory based seawater hydrogen production by Chinese enterprises was successfully completed at Sinopec Qingdao Refinery. This project innovatively combines the technologies of direct hydrogen production from seawater and green electricity to produce green hydrogen, achieving efficient production of 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen energy per hour. This breakthrough not only provides a new way for coastal areas to absorb renewable green electricity, but also explores a new path for the resource utilization of high salt industrial wastewater.

The project adopts a factory operation mode, fully utilizing some of the green electricity generated by the Qingdao Refining and Chemical Water Photovoltaic Power Station. Through electrolytic cells, seawater is effectively decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen, and the produced hydrogen is incorporated into the pipeline system of Qingdao Refining and Chemical. It can be used in the refining production process and also provide refueling services for hydrogen vehicles. The entire production process is completed within the factory, achieving efficient and environmentally friendly hydrogen production.

Hydrogen production from seawater, a new chapter in green energy!

Hydrogen production from seawater, an emerging field of green energy, is showing broad prospects. Green hydrogen, as a hydrogen energy directly produced through renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, has attracted much attention for its low emission characteristics in the production process. In the coastal areas and seas of Chinese enterprises, wind energy, solar energy, and seawater resources are extremely abundant, making it possible to produce green hydrogen from green electricity. By using seawater direct electrolysis hydrogen production technology, we can efficiently convert unstable green electricity resources into green hydrogen resources that are easy to store and consume, while saving valuable freshwater resources, and exploring a new path for the vigorous development of the hydrogen energy industry.

What are the challenges faced by seawater hydrogen production?

Overcoming multiple technical challenges in seawater hydrogen production. Despite the many advantages of seawater hydrogen production, this technology still faces significant challenges. The approximately 3% salt content in seawater and the chloride ions in impurities can cause corrosion to the electrodes of electrolysis equipment, while the deposition of cations may block the pores of the equipment, thereby affecting electrolysis efficiency and even potentially damaging the entire equipment. In order to address these issues, Sinopec Qingdao Refining&Chemical and Dalian Petrochemical Research Institute have collaborated to jointly develop specialized electrolysis equipment and process flow. Through unremitting efforts, they have successfully overcome key technical challenges such as chlorine resistant electrode technology, high-performance electrode plate design, and seawater circulation systems, achieving a deep integration of scientific research achievements with practical applications.

With the continuous progress and cost reduction of seawater hydrogen production technology, this technology is expected to achieve large-scale industrial applications in the future. Currently, Chinese companies are vigorously promoting in-depth research on seawater hydrogen production technology. Many domestic universities and research institutions have devoted themselves to the research and development of seawater hydrogen production, actively tackling technical challenges. At the same time, the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration have released the "Medium - and Long Term Plan for the Development of the Hydrogen Energy Industry (2021-2035)" in 2022, which explicitly proposes to promote the research and application of new hydrogen related technologies, including seawater hydrogen production. Significant breakthroughs have also been made in technologies such as green hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells, and control systems for high flow hydrogen refueling stations.

Development measures of Sinopec in the field of hydrogen energy

As a domestic energy and chemical enterprise, Sinopec is also actively expanding its presence in the hydrogen energy field. The company has not only established a comprehensive hydrogen energy research and production system, but also vigorously promoted the industrial application of hydrogen energy technology. Through in-depth cooperation with universities and research institutions, Sinopec has made significant progress in hydrogen energy technology, laying a solid foundation for future energy transformation.

Sinopec is committed to building a domestic hydrogen energy company and actively promoting the technological research and application of the entire hydrogen energy industry chain. By building key common technology platforms, the company continuously promotes the high-quality development of the hydrogen energy industry. Recently, Sinopec has successfully put into operation a megawatt proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis hydrogen production unit, and has become the first domestic enterprise to launch a solid oxide (SOEC) electrolysis hydrogen production project with a capacity of 100 kilowatts. At the same time, it has broken through the kilogram level industrial production of platinum based catalysts for fuel cells. These important developments signify the increasing strength and influence of Sinopec in the field of hydrogen energy.

In the field of hydrogen energy, Sinopec continues to strengthen its industrial layout, especially in the areas of green hydrogen refining and hydrogen energy transportation. The company has successfully launched a 10000 ton photovoltaic green hydrogen demonstration project, demonstrating its strength in the field of renewable energy. At the same time, 136 hydrogen refueling stations and 11 hydrogen fuel cell supply centers have been built, and a preliminary hydrogen energy corridor system of "one large and five small" has been established, providing a solid foundation for the development of hydrogen transportation. In 2023, Sinopec's hydrogen refueling stations will account for about 40% of the country's hydrogen refueling volume, further consolidating its position in the hydrogen energy industry.