THERMALLY-INTEGRATED ELECTROLYZER FOR HIGH VOLUMETRIC CAPACITY HYDROGEN PRODUCTION FROM SEAWATER (24-000006648)
Abstract
We propose a new electrolyzer system that features a unique thermal integration scheme to directly use seawater in a compact and lightweight hydrogen production system. The concept is based on using the heat generated by the electrolyzer and a pervaporation membrane system to extract water vapor from the seawater stream and transfer it to a gas recirculation system that feeds a proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer (PEMWE). The concept is relevant to many Naval applications, including producing hydrogen for fuel cells in portable power generators and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), such as the Naval Research Laboratory#s (NRL#s) Ion Tiger. The team at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has already demonstrated the operation of high-power density, durable PEMWEs with a water vapor feed rather than liquid water. The focus of the proposed project will be the design, demonstration, and optimization of the integrated pervaporation membrane (PM) water exchanger and gas recirculation system. The project will initially demonstrate the conceptin a unit cell format with one pervaporation membrane water exchanger cell integrated with one PEMWE cell. The team will then scalethe system to a short stack format to demonstrate potential for deployment. As part of the project, the team will optimize the PEMWE membrane electrode assembly (MEA) for vapor-fed operation. Toward the end of the project, the team will perform a techno-economic analysis, including manufacturing costs, to evaluate scale-up and commercialization.Approved for Public Release
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Nov 08, 2024
- Source ID
- N000142412422
Entities
People
- Shawn Litster
Organizations
- Carnegie Mellon University
- Office of Naval Research
- United States Navy