Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis of Water

Today hydrogen is primarily produced by reforming of fossil fuels, e.g. natural gas, in a centralized way and distributed to the locations of use as compressed gas.
 
In long-term visions, however, decentralized production of hydrogen by means of water electrolysers is favorable in several ways. When renewable energy sources (hydropower, windmills, solar cells, etc.) are considered, electrolysis is a practical way of converting the surplus electrical energy into chemical energy to be used when the power is needed.

By increase the operating temperature of the PEM electrolyser cell, the energy efficiency will be significantly improved because of the decreased thermodynamic energy requirement, enhanced electrode kinetics, and the possible integration of the heat recovery.
 

Only Tantaline found suitable in high temperature PEM cells

Phosphoric acid based PEM electrolyser systems in the temperature range 150 to 200°C offer ideal conditions for efficient water electrolysis. The high temperature combined with a strongly anodic potential result in severe corrosion problems of material used.

Larger research projects at the technical University of Denmark and Institute of Chemical Technology Prague, Czech Republic, show that existing construction materials including advanced steel alloys, titanium, Hastelloys, niobium is not chemical stable in the processes. The only fully resisting metals identified has been Tantaline and tantalum metal.

Tantaline Participating in an EUR 3.2 M demonstration project

Tantaline is participating in the European WELTEMP project, a collaborative project funded by the European Union under the Seventh Framework Programme (FP7). The EUR 3.2 M project involves partners from five European countries (Denmark, Norway, Czech Republic, Switzerland and Italy), and will be running from 1.1. 2008 to 31.12.2010. As the final target of the project, a 1 kW prototype PEM electrolyser will be designed, constructed and tested for demonstration