High-Performance Electrochemical Hydrogen Production

TECHNOLOGY LICENSING OPPORTUNITY

High-Performance Electrochemical Hydrogen Production

High efficiency proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells (P-SOECs) with a novel 3D self-assembled steam electrode.

Opportunity: Idaho National Laboratory (INL), managed and operated by Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC (BEA), is offering the opportunity to enter into a license and/or collaborative research agreement to commercialize this hydrogen production technology. This technology transfer opportunity is part of a dedicated effort to convert government-funded research into job opportunities, businesses and ultimately an improved way of life for the American people.

Overview: This technology involves the design, fabrication and characterization of highly efficient proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis cells (P-SOECs) with a novel 3D self-assembled steam electrode. Hydrogen is an eco-friendly fuel in part because when it burns, the result is water. However, there are no convenient suitable natural resources for pure hydrogen. Today, hydrogen is obtained by steam reforming (or “cracking”) hydrocarbons, such as natural gas, which requires fossil fuels and creates carbon byproducts.

By contrast, steam electrolysis needs only water and electricity to split water molecules, thereby generating hydrogen and oxygen. Being able perform steam electrolysis efficiently at reduced temperatures minimizes the energy input needed. This new electrolysis technology developed at INL operates at relatively low temperature (~600°C) and produces hydrogen at a high sustained rate continuously for days.

Description: A P-SOEC has a porous steam electrode, a hydrogen electrode and a proton-conducting electrolyte. When voltage is applied, steam travels through the porous steam electrode and turns into oxygen and hydrogen at the electrolyte boundary. The two gases separate and are collected at their respective electrodes.

For the construction of the porous steam electrode, a woven textile template is placed into a precursor solution containing certain elements and then fired to remove the fabric and leave behind the ceramic. During operation, bridging occurs between strands. This improves both mass and charge transfer and the stability of the electrode. The electrode and the use of a proton conducting membrane enables hydrogen production below 600 °C at current densities greater than of 2 A/cm2 @ 1.3V. This operating temperature is hundreds of degrees lower than conventional high-temperature steam electrolysis methods. The lower temperature results in reduced operating and capital expense over conventional systems.

Benefits:

• Most efficient and low-cost option for hydrogen production.


• Can reduce operating temperature by several hundred degrees to 600 °C or even lower.


• Drastically reduces carbon footprint as carbon-based feedstocks are not required.


• Offers a more efficient alternative for high-volume hydrogen production for energy storage.


• Enables mobile modular H2 production for small scale applications.[RMB2]

Applications:

• Hydrogen production
  
  
  
  • Oil refining
  
  
  • Petrochemical manufacturing
  
  
  • Eco-friendly fuel for transportation
  
  
  • Energy storage
  
  
  
  

Development Status: TRL 4[RMB3] . Technology has been validated in a laboratory environment.

IP Status: US Patent Application No. 16/483,631, “Methods and Systems for Hydrogen Gas Production through Water Electrolysis and Related Electrolysis Cells,” BEA Docket No. BA-941.

US Patent Application No. 16/980,644, “Electrochemical Cells Comprising Three-Dimensional (3D) Electrodes including a 3D Architectured Material, Methods for Forming the 3D Architectured material, and Related Methods of Forming Hydrogen,” BEA Docket No. BA-973.

Additional Information: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/advs.201800360

INL is seeking to license the above intellectual property to a company with a demonstrated ability to bring such inventions to the market. Exclusive rights in defined fields of use may be available. Added value is placed on relationships with small businesses, start-up companies, and general entrepreneurship opportunities.

Please visit Technology Deployment’s website at https://inl.gov/inl-initiatives/technology-deployment for more information on working with INL and the industrial partnering and technology transfer process.

Companies interested in learning more about this licensing opportunity should contact Andrew Rankin at td@inl.gov