But in laboratory research, they are already a common fixture.
The element hydrogen offers hope and headaches in equal measure. The most abundant element on the planet is also one of the most attractive for use as fuel. But because it is also the lightest element, it does not naturally occur in pure form. Hydrogen is so crucial in manufacturing, energy supply, and scientific research that new methods to improve production are being eagerly sought.
Hydrogen production is difficult. Generating the gas costs more energy than can be recovered from heat in combustion. And containing and storing this highly flammable gas has been a constant challenge as well.
The leading method of production is steam-methane reforming, which extracts hydrogen from methane gas. This is the leading process for generating hydrogen in large quantities, but produces carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Electrolysis is the other prevalent method, in which electricity applied to water separates hydrogen and oxygen atoms, yielding pure hydrogen and waste oxygen.
For research laboratories, these options traditionally meant relying on third-party gas producers to generate, store, and deliver hydrogen (and other gases) in tanks to be utilized as needed. This has created a well-established supply network that resembles a variety of petroleum-based fuels.
In recent years, however, electrolysis has emerged as a second option. Proton Onsite, a hydrogen energy and gas provider in Wallingford, Conn., uses electrolysis to manufacture on-site, high-purity gas generators called proton exchange membrane (PEMs) electrolyzers. They work by running a current through a solid polymer electrolyte. This electrolyte is a thin, specialized plastic membrane that is permeable to protons when saturated with water, but does not conduct electrons. The process of electrolysis draws a hydrogen ion (the “proton”) from deionized water and brings it through the membrane. Eventually, a number of ions combine at the other end of the membrane to produce hydrogen gas, leaving oxygen on the opposite side.
The Power of PEM
Electrolysis through proton exchange is not new. NASA first used the technology on a significant scale in its Gemini program in the 1960s. But only recently has PEM technology been looked to by the U.S. government and a variety of major foreign firms, such as Mitsubishi Industries, as the basis for a large-scale energy and transportation infrastructure.
As a result of breakthroughs by federally funded research efforts and the work of private industry, such as Proton Onsite, the market for components of PEMs and membrane electrode assemblies used in PEM fuel cells (PEMFC) is growing. The market analysis firm Transparency Market Research predicts a compounded growth of approximately 21.1% from 2012 to 2018, spurred by a general demand for reduced fossil fuel usage and lower carbon emissions. As the technology improves, major players in the fuel cell component marketplace will increase investments.
The R&D segment of the market now represents about 20% of Proton Onsite’s current business. Due to an array of research applications that need high-purity gas, Proton Onsite has developed a dozen different PEMs to suit applications ranging from liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry to atmospheric analysis.
Proton Onsite’s primary laboratory product is the HOGEN hydrogen generator, which provides ultrahigh-purity hydrogen as a carrier gas with consistent composition and predictable low levels of oxygen and nitrogen. The HOGEN GC hydrogen generator is a simpler, less expensive, and less complex PEM geared for gas chromatography. For larger laboratories, the HOGEN S Series 20 and 40 hydrogen generation systems can supply carrier and fuel gas for up to 200 gas chromatographs.
“Many of our clients work in laboratories and facilities that are engaged in R&D, ranging from analytical chemistry and mechanical engineering to meteorological studies. Essentially, we supply technology for any application that requires a constant, pure supply of hydrogen, nitrogen, or zero air,” says Dave Wolff, regional manager at Proton Onsite.
The growth in laboratory use can be explained by convenience. PEMs can replace the need to procure, manage, and secure traditional sources of delivered gas to the facility. Proton OnSites’ patented PEM electrolysis technology produces hydrogen at 200 psig or higher, without the need for mechanical compression, eliminating the need for high-pressure liquid hydrogen tanks or compressed gas storage.
Scientists and researchers typically require hydrogen with ultrahigh purity. They want the gas for fuel and as a reducing agent.
“The on-site gas generator supplies a benchtop by utilizing water, electricity, and air to produce the gases needed for analytical chemistry applications in most laboratories. Between 8 and 10% of facilities each year are moving from gas generated onsite versus delivered gas in cylinders, as the price for delivered gases continues to increase and on-site generated gas costs remain stable. Also, in the case of helium, which is a dwindling natural resource, on-site alternatives are being considered as the gas becomes scarcer,” says Wolff.
Proton Onsite also helps address a crucial question for laboratories being fitted-out for gas supply: centralized utility infrastructure, or a point-of-use approach?
“There are a lot of factors in deciding whether to opt for several smaller generators or one large centralized system,” says Wolff. “To determine what scale will work best for any R&D application, a facility manager must consider redundancy, security, and safety. A manager must also consider long-term needs for the application in question, as a centralized system would benefit an expanding operation. It’s all about economies of scale, so for a decision like this, foresight and a good grasp of the numbers is always the best tool for weighing the options.”
Another major selling point for Proton Onsite is safety. By producing gas at the point of use, facilities circumvent the potential hassle of handling gas-filled cylinders on a regular basis. These cylinders, which are heavy and, in the case of hydrogen, contain highly flammable gas at 2,200 psi, are frequently viewed as one of the more risk-prone features of a typical laboratory.
“With a gas generator, there is no need to employ people to continuously handle cumbersome and dangerous cylinders, and there are few safety codes to adhere to. I would say the best reason to choose an on-site source of gas is precisely because there is no need for extraordinary design or installation measures,” says Wolff.
The Latest Bing News on:
Hydrogen generators
- Solar-hydrogen solution rolled out for off-grid settingson May 7, 2024 at 8:33 pm
A new mobile power generator that combines solar and renewable hydrogen to provide zero-emissions power for remote and off-grid applications has been unveiled by Victorian startup H2PowerBox.
- The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Sets Sailon May 7, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Feadship, a Dutch shipyard, just launched what it claims is the world’s first hydrogen-powered superyacht. Dubbed Project 821, the 290-foot boat left the company’s Amsterdam shipyard on May 4, a ...
- The $600 Million Question: Why Is Bill Gates Selling His Hydrogen-Powered Megayacht?on May 7, 2024 at 9:33 am
Feadship launched Project 821 with the hope to set a new industry trend, and the megayacht simultaneously listed for sale. Why is Gates ditching it?
- Toyota Continues To Bet Big On Fuel-Cell Technology, Establishes Hydrogen Headquarterson May 7, 2024 at 8:50 am
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) recently announced that its California R&D office will be its new North American Hydrogen Headquarters (H2HQ). While the Miria, their hydrogen fuel-cell production ...
- Mobile hydrogen generator launched in Vicon May 6, 2024 at 9:56 pm
The new mobile power generator combines solar and renewable hydrogen to provide reliable zero-emissions, off-grid energy.
- Maritime Partners, USCG Ink Design Basis Agreement for Innovative Hydrogen One Towboaton May 6, 2024 at 12:17 pm
The developer of an innovative towboat engineered to run on hydrogen generator technology has signed a Design Basis Agreement (DBA) with the U.S.
- Maritime Partners signs USCG Design Basis Agreement for Hydrogen Oneon May 6, 2024 at 10:17 am
Maritime Partners LLC should face fewer regulatory problems than some other innovators in getting its innovative Hydrogen One towboat into actual service. It has received a Design Basis Agreement ...
- The World’s First Hydrogen-Powered Superyacht Just Hit the Wateron May 6, 2024 at 6:22 am
Feadship just launched what it says is the world's first hydrogen fuel cell superyacht. The 290-foot Project 821 is also the largest Feadship to date.
- Toyota advancing hydrogen fuel cells for cars, trucks, and even stationary poweron May 4, 2024 at 7:06 pm
Alternative power for cars typically means running on battery power, but Toyota's fanning out its alt-fuel development and sticking with hydrogen fuel cells as one option.
- Decarbonizing the Power Industry with Low-Carbon-Intensity Hydrogenon April 30, 2024 at 5:00 pm
hydrogen supply options will allow high throughput trials and a packaged hydrogen generator or pipeline service option will allow permanent hydrogen adoption long-term. In the power industry’s future ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Hydrogen generators
[google_news title=”” keyword=”Hydrogen generators” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
The Latest Bing News on:
Renewable energy future
- The Renewable Energy Land Rush Could Threaten Food Securityon May 7, 2024 at 3:00 pm
The renewable energy transition poses significant land-use challenges, particularly with solar and wind farms competing for valuable agricultural land, threatening food security and biodiversity.
- Guest column: Prioritizing zero energy povertyon May 7, 2024 at 1:01 pm
In the debate surrounding energy and climate change, where discord often drowns out reason and cooperation, a rallying cry for unity emerges: the imperative to address energy poverty. It transcends ...
- Vermont legislature passes 100% renewable energy billon May 7, 2024 at 8:28 am
On May 7, the Vermont Senate passed H.289, which would update Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard to require 100% renewables by 2035.
- Balancing Virginia’s energy future: A holistic approach to powering data centerson May 7, 2024 at 3:18 am
Virginia, home to the country’s largest concentration of data centers, faces a critical juncture in its energy future. As the demand for data storage and processing grows, so does the need for ...
- How artificial intelligence is helping Ghana plan for a renewable energy futureon May 6, 2024 at 4:59 pm
The technology is helping the West African nation to invest wisely in infrastructure, prioritising energy and food security, but also human health.
- Future truly bright for renewable energy rising star as he wins Young Businessperson of the Year titleon May 6, 2024 at 3:00 pm
Andrew McKee, managing director of Start Solar, was named Young Businessperson of the Year, a category sponsored by Queen’s University, Belfast.
- Winsol Engineers IPO: Empowering India's Renewable Energy Futureon May 5, 2024 at 8:08 pm
WEL's financial performance serves as a testament to its resilience and agility in navigating the complexities of the renewable energy sector. With a steady trajectory of revenue growth over the past ...
- Sierra Club chair: JEA's future energy plans are perfect example of 'greenwashing'on May 5, 2024 at 2:04 am
Local committee chair for the Sierra Club points out the shortcomings of JEAs proposal to utilize more clean energy, calls it "greenwashing." ...
- Renewable Energy Needs to Be Stored. China Is at the Forefront.on May 3, 2024 at 7:34 am
Environment ministers from the G-7 Western economies have targeted a sixfold increase in storage for renewable energy by 2030. Most of that will come from battery energy storage systems.
- 3 Renewable Energy Stocks That Will Make Other Investors Green With Envyon May 3, 2024 at 3:36 am
As someone who has been trading stocks and options since 1999, I’ve witnessed an accelerated shift toward a more sustainable future with the help of renewable energy; I consider ...
The Latest Google Headlines on:
Renewable energy future
[google_news title=”” keyword=”fix the internet” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]