China's first factory-based seawater hydrogen production project was completed at Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company
On December 18th, it was learned from the press office of Sinopec that China's first factory-based hydrogen production research project from seawater was completed at Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company. The project adopts a combined model of direct hydrogen production from seawater and green hydrogen production from green electricity, capable of generating 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen per hour. This not only explores a new solution for coastal areas to consume renewable green electricity for green hydrogen production but also provides a new path for the resource utilization of high-salt industrial wastewater.
The project adopts a factory operation mode. It utilizes part of the green electricity produced by the water-based photovoltaic power station of Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company. Through electrolyzers, seawater is decomposed into hydrogen and oxygen. The produced hydrogen is connected to the pipeline network of Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company and used for refining and chemical production or refueling of hydrogen energy vehicles. The entire production process takes place within the factory.
The prospects for hydrogen production from seawater are broad. Green hydrogen refers to hydrogen directly produced by generating electricity from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, with the production process generating almost no greenhouse gases. China's coastal areas and sea regions are rich in wind energy, solar energy and seawater resources, and have the resource advantage of producing green hydrogen from green electricity. Direct electrolysis of seawater to produce hydrogen can convert unstable and difficult-to-store green electricity resources into relatively easy-to-store and consume green hydrogen resources on the spot. Moreover, it can also save precious fresh water resources and open up a new path for the development of the hydrogen energy industry.
Overcome a number of key technical problems. Although hydrogen production from seawater has advantages, it still faces challenges. About 3% salt content in seawater and chloride ions in impurities can cause corrosion to the electrodes of electrolytic equipment. The deposition of cations may clog the equipment channels, reduce the electrolytic efficiency and even damage the equipment. Sinopec Qingdao Refining & Chemical Company and Dalian Research Institute of Petrochemical Technology have jointly tackled key technical challenges such as chlorine-resistant electrode technology, high-performance plate design, and seawater circulation systems by developing specially designed key equipment and unique process flows. This has achieved a high degree of coupling and interconnection between scientific research and development and application scenarios.
With the continuous maturation of technology and the gradual reduction of costs, the technology of hydrogen production from seawater is expected to achieve large-scale industrial application in the future. At present, China is accelerating the technological research on hydrogen production from seawater. Domestic universities and research institutions are actively conducting technological breakthroughs in the field of hydrogen production from seawater. The "Medium and Long-Term Plan for the Development of the Hydrogen Energy Industry (2021-2035)" released by the National Development and Reform Commission and the National Energy Administration in 2022 proposed to promote the research and development of new technologies related to hydrogen energy, such as hydrogen production from seawater. At present, China ranks first in the world in hydrogen energy patents, and breakthroughs have been made in technologies such as green hydrogen production, hydrogen fuel cells, and control systems for high-flow hydrogen refueling stations.
Sinopec is accelerating its efforts to become China's leading hydrogen energy company. We have vigorously promoted the research and application of technologies throughout the hydrogen energy industry chain, built key common technology platforms, and actively promoted the high-quality development of the hydrogen energy industry. We have successfully put into use a megawatt-level proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis water hydrogen production device, and were the first in China to start up a 100-kilowatt-level solid oxide (SOEC) electrolysis water hydrogen production project, breaking through the industrial production of per-kilogram platinum-based catalysts for fuel cells. We have strengthened industrial layout around green hydrogen refining and hydrogen energy transportation. We have successfully put into operation China's first 10,000-ton photovoltaic green hydrogen demonstration project. We have built 136 hydrogen refueling stations and 11 hydrogen fuel cell hydrogen supply centers, initially forming a "one large and five small" hydrogen energy corridor pattern. In 2023, the hydrogen refueling volume of hydrogen refueling stations will account for about 40% of the national total.