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Recyclability of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers for Green Hydrogen Production

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New Directions in Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy, Recycling and Waste Minimization (TMS 2023)

Part of the book series: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series ((MMMS))

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Abstract

Renewed interest in green hydrogen energy due to its versatility and ability to decarbonise numerous economic sectors prompted research on the evaluation of sustainability of associated technologies. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) water electrolysis is a promising technology to produce hydrogen gas from water electrolysis using renewable power. However, PEM electrolysers use rare noble metals and other expensive materials. Furthermore, the availability and supply risks are additional concerns for the critical metals. Hence, this paper explores the review of the recycling process of end-of-life PEM electrolysers from the point of collection to the final material recovery and the potential reuse in the manufacturing process. Several studies have highlighted existing and novel recycling technologies for the different materials used in electrolyser components. Some of these methods include hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, transient electrochemical dissolution, selective electrochemical dissolution, and acidic process. Overview of these processes and implication of recycling are presented here.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIRO Energy, Private Bag 10, Clayton South, VIC, 3169, Australia

    Nawshad Haque, Sarb Giddey & Sejuti Saha

  2. Endua, 104 Boniface St, Archerfield, QLD, 4108, Australia

    Paul Sernia

Authors
  1. Nawshad Haque
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  2. Sarb Giddey
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  3. Sejuti Saha
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  4. Paul Sernia
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nawshad Haque .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

    Ramana G. Reddy

  2. Gopher Resource, Tampa, FL, USA

    Alexandra Anderson

  3. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA

    Corby G. Anderson

  4. Eramet Norway, Sauda, Norway

    Camille Fleuriault

  5. Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA

    Erik D. Spiller

  6. Aqua Metals, Reno, NV, USA

    Mark Strauss

  7. NobelClad, Broomfield, CO, USA

    Edgar E. Vidal

  8. Baowu Ouyeel, Shanghai, China

    Mingming Zhang

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Haque, N., Giddey, S., Saha, S., Sernia, P. (2023). Recyclability of Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers for Green Hydrogen Production. In: Reddy, R.G., et al. New Directions in Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy, Recycling and Waste Minimization. TMS 2023. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-22765-3_14

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