Chemical Engineering July 2020 - 7

Improved catalyst production lowers
electrolysis costs
W
ater electrolysis is widely used for
hydrogen production, but there
are still
high
costs
with manufacturing advanced
electrolysis catalysts, which may involve high
temperatures and pressures or chemical vapor
deposition. Extending research conducted at
the University of Kansas' Bioscience & and
Technology Business Center (Lawrence, Kan.;
www.btbcku.com), startup company Avium,
LLC (www.aviumenergy.com) has developed
a new technology that promises to simplify the
manufacture of high-performance catalysts for
alkaline electrolysis systems.
Avium's patented synthesis method uses
water as its only solvent, and the only energy
input is for a microwave heating step,
which produces a highly active dual-element
matrix (DEM) catalyst structure, explains
Joseph
Barforoush,
Avium
associated
chief
technology officer. Whereas conventional
catalysts depend on precious metals, such
as platinum or iridium, Avium's DEM catalysts
utilize pairs of abundant metals, such
as nickel and iron. The microwave-synthesis
method enables homogenous dispersion of
the metals, which helps to maximize the
number of active sites in the DEM. " The key
to improving catalyst efficiency is that the
two elements in the DEM produce a synergistic
effect, resulting in faster kinetics than
catalysts composed of either single metal
alone, " adds Barforoush.
Alkaline electrolysis systems are typically
limited in their production capacities when
compared to proton-exchange-membrane
electrolysis systems, but Avium is working
to close this gap while also lowering costs.
With funding from the U.S. National Science
Foundation, the company is developing a
commercial-scale DEM alkaline electrolyzer
that can reportedly operate at 2-4 times
the production rate of conventional alkaline
electrolyzers operating at the same voltage.
To achieve this, Avium and KU are working
to synthesize its catalysts and fabricate electrodes
at an industrial scale, while also continuing
ongoing work related to electrode architecture
and kinetics. The final goal will be
to produce a DEM electrolyzer with a 4-kg/d
capacity, which will be demonstrated at a hydrogen
refueling station in California.
solvent that selectively removes
H2S, while minimizing
the co-absorption of CO2 from
gas streams.
The companies jointly developed
the amine-based solvent
to help petroleum refiners and
gas processors meet future
requirements, while also increasing
capacity and lowering
operating costs on existing
equipment. For new facilities,
the use of this technology will
reduce the size of the equipment
and the initial capital
investment compared to conventional
amine-gas-treatment
units, the companies say.
Multiple pilot-plant tests at
ExxonMobil and BASF facilities
have demonstrated the superior
selective properties of this
solvent compared to methyldiethanolamine
(MDEA) formulations
and Flexsorb SE and SE
Plus solvents. A commercial
demonstration concluded at
a tailgas-treating unit located
in North America further confirmd
the results. OASE sul(Continues
on p. 8)
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Chemical Engineering July 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Chemical Engineering July 2020
