Green Hydrogen Production with Membraneless Electrolyzers by Newtrace in India

Green Hydrogen Production with Membraneless Electrolyzers by Newtrace in India

Here’s a post on ‘membraneless electrolysers’ from ForbesIndia that includes:

• Newtrace, a green hydrogen startup, is putting India on the global green hydrogen map
• The company is developing a green hydrogen ecosystem, including production, storage, and transportation
• Newtrace aims to reduce India’s dependence on fossil fuels and contribute to the country’s green energy goals
• The startup has received funding from investors, including the Indian Oil Corporation, to support its growth.

Here’s a breakdown of how membraneless electrolyzers work, their benefits, and how they differ from PEM electrolyzers:

Membraneless Electrolyzers:

1. Process Overview:
   • Membraneless electrolyzers operate similarly to traditional electrolyzers but without the need for a proton exchange membrane (PEM).
   • They utilize a single electrolyte solution containing both cations and anions, typically an alkaline solution like potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH).
   • An electrical current is passed through the electrolyte solution, triggering the electrolysis process, splitting water (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gas.
2. Advantages:
   • Cost Reduction: Eliminating the need for PEMs reduces the complexity and cost of the electrolyzer system.
   • Improved Durability: Membranes in PEM electrolyzers are prone to degradation over time, leading to decreased performance and efficiency. Membraneless electrolyzers offer improved durability and longevity.
   • Higher Efficiency: Without the energy losses associated with PEMs, membraneless electrolyzers can achieve higher energy conversion efficiencies.
   • Flexibility: Membraneless designs can handle impurities in the feedwater better than PEM electrolyzers, offering greater flexibility in water source selection.
3. Operating Conditions:
   • Membraneless electrolyzers typically operate at elevated temperatures to enhance ion conductivity and reaction kinetics, often in the range of 60°C to 90°C.
   • Higher temperatures can accelerate the electrolysis process, improving efficiency and hydrogen production rates.
4. Applications:
   • Membraneless electrolyzers are suitable for various applications, including industrial hydrogen production, energy storage, and fuel cell vehicles.
   • Their robustness and simplified design make them particularly attractive for decentralized hydrogen generation and off-grid applications.

Differences from PEM Electrolyzers:

1. Membrane Requirement:
   • PEM electrolyzers rely on a solid polymer membrane to separate the hydrogen and oxygen gas streams, preventing their recombination.
   • Membraneless electrolyzers do not require a physical membrane, instead relying on the electrolyte solution to facilitate ion transport.
2. Operating Conditions:
   • PEM electrolyzers typically operate at lower temperatures, around 20°C to 80°C, to maintain the integrity and performance of the polymer membrane.
   • Membraneless electrolyzers often operate at higher temperatures to enhance conductivity and reaction kinetics, as mentioned earlier.
3. Cost and Complexity:
   • The inclusion of a PEM adds to the cost and complexity of PEM electrolyzer systems.
   • Membraneless electrolyzers offer a simpler and potentially more cost-effective alternative due to the absence of a membrane.
4. Efficiency and Durability:
   • Membraneless electrolyzers may offer higher efficiency and durability compared to PEM electrolyzers due to the elimination of membrane-related losses and degradation issues.
5. Applications Focus:
   • PEM electrolyzers are commonly used in applications where high purity hydrogen is required, such as for fuel cell vehicles and certain industrial processes.
   • Membraneless electrolyzers are well-suited for applications prioritizing cost-effectiveness, durability, and flexibility over high purity hydrogen production.

In summary, membraneless electrolyzers represent a promising advancement in green hydrogen production, offering advantages in cost, durability, efficiency, and flexibility compared to traditional PEM electrolyzers. Their simplified design and robust operation make them an attractive option for various industrial, energy storage, and transportation applications.

Here are three interesting questions related to the content about Newtrace from the Forbes India article:

1. How does Newtrace’s “membraneless” electrolyser technology potentially disrupt the green hydrogen market in India, especially considering the current high cost of green hydrogen production?
2. What strategies are Newtrace employing to localize their manufacturing, and how might this impact the scalability and adoption of their technology in India’s energy sector?
3. Given the significant price difference between green and grey hydrogen, what specific advancements or innovations are Newtrace focusing on to make green hydrogen a viable alternative economically?

Interestingly, we have some other posts related to this content:

Efficient Electrolysers for Hydrogen Production: Johnson Matthey and Hystar To Develop
Johnson Matthey and Hystar partner to develop cutting-edge, efficient, and cost-effective electrolysers, aiming to make hydrogen production more affordable. PEM Electrolyzers For Green Hydrogen Production: Ohmium and NTPC’s Deal Ohmium and NTPC Renewable Energy have partnered for India’s largest deal on PEM electrolyzers, aiming to deploy Ohmium’s patented technology in 400 MW projects to produce green hydrogen and ammonia​​. Green Hydrogen from Seawater Using PEM Electrolyzer by Fraunhofer ISE: Fraunhofer ISE and partners develop offshore hydrogen production concept with 500 MW electrolysis platform, aiming for 50,000 tons/year green hydrogen production.