Recently, the world’s first offshore wind-powered, in-situ electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production technology equipment has successfully undergone sea trials in Fujian. The equipment was jointly developed by a team led by Academician Xie Heping and Dongfang Electric Corporation. It operated continuously and stably for over 240 hours in a real marine environment with wind speeds ranging from 3 to 8 on the Beaufort scale and wave heights ranging from 0.3 to 0.9 meters. This successful trial has validated the reliability of the seawater electrolysis technology for hydrogen production without the need for desalination.
In-Situ Electrolysis of Seawater for Hydrogen Production is a significant technological breakthrough. Traditional methods of hydrogen production usually involve desalination of seawater to remove ions and impurities before electrolysis. This process is both energy-intensive and expensive, and it generates a large amount of wastewater. In contrast, the technology of in-situ electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production directly performs electrolysis in seawater without the need for desalination, thus avoiding the desalination process and energy waste.
The principle of this technology is based on a new approach that combines physical mechanics with electrochemistry. By integrating processes such as molecular diffusion and interfacial equilibrium from physical mechanics with electrochemical reactions, a theoretical model for direct electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production has been established. Researchers have discovered that by regulating the interfacial pressure difference in micro-scale gas channels, they can promote the spontaneous phase transition mass transfer of seawater, thereby achieving stable electrolysis of hydrogen. This discovery resolves the long-standing issue of harmful corrosion that has plagued seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production.
The research team has successfully developed the world’s first set of 400 L/h seawater electrolysis equipment for in-situ hydrogen production and conducted continuous testing for over 3200 hours in Shenzhen Bay seawater. This demonstrates that the technology can achieve stable and scalable hydrogen production in marine environments. Furthermore, this principle and technology can also be applied to other diversified water resources such as river water, wastewater, and salt lakes, providing a new approach for resource enrichment, concentration, and energy production.
The successful development and application of in-situ electrolysis of seawater for hydrogen production have significant implications for advancing the clean energy industry and addressing energy and environmental issues. It can help improve hydrogen production efficiency, reduce production costs, promote the utilization of renewable energy, and reduce reliance on traditional energy sources. Additionally, this technology holds promise in addressing freshwater scarcity and enhancing water resource utilization.