Low Cost Green Hydrogen Production Using Membrane Technology by CSMCRI

Low Cost Green Hydrogen Production Using Membrane Technology by CSMCRI

Here’s an article posted in Times Of India. 

According to the article,

• CSMCRI has developed a membrane technology to reduce the cost of green hydrogen production.
• The indigenous membrane costs Rs 3,000 per sq m, significantly lower than the imported membrane at Rs 50,000 per sq m.
• The use of this membrane is expected to halve the current cost of green hydrogen in India

The invention by the Bhavnagar-based Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute (CSMCRI) marks a significant breakthrough in the production of green hydrogen, a promising clean energy source. Let’s delve into the process and the specifics:

1. Membrane Technology: CSMCRI has developed a new membrane technology that facilitates the production of green hydrogen. This membrane is designed to assist in the electrolysis process, which separates hydrogen and oxygen from water to generate electricity.
2. Electrolysis Process: Electrolysis is a method that uses an electric current to drive a non-spontaneous chemical reaction. In the context of green hydrogen production, it involves splitting water molecules (H2O) into hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) gases. This process occurs in an electrolyzer, which consists of an anode (positive electrode) and a cathode (negative electrode) separated by an electrolyte.
3. Perfluorinated Sulfonic Acid Polymer Membrane: Prior to the invention by CSMCRI, companies engaged in green hydrogen production primarily used a perfluorinated sulfonic acid polymer membrane. This membrane, marketed under the brand name ‘Nafion’ by a Japanese company, is imported and is relatively expensive.
4. Cost Comparison: The breakthrough membrane developed by CSMCRI offers a significant cost advantage over the imported membrane. The approximate cost of the membrane developed by CSMCRI is reported to be around Rs 3,000 per square meter, whereas the imported membrane costs approximately Rs 50,000 per square meter.
5. Potential Savings: In the production process of green hydrogen, typically 50 to 75 square meters of the membrane are utilized. With the new membrane technology, the reduction in cost translates to substantial savings in production expenses. This could potentially revolutionize the economics of green hydrogen production, making it more accessible and cost-effective on a larger scale.
6. International Patent and Technology Transfer: CSMCRI has secured an international patent for its membrane technology, highlighting its novelty and significance in the field of clean energy. Additionally, the institute has transferred the technology to a company in Gujarat, facilitating its commercialization and widespread adoption.

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