Hydrogen Production by Electrolysis

Abstract

Industrial electrolysers are mostly using alkaline electrolyte and are operating at about 80 °C and 1–30 bar. Cells based on solid electrolytes, polymers or ceramics, are developed, but have for the time being no commercial significance. The best available technology of today may have an electric energy efficiency of about 80 %. Two main types of electrolysers are in use, “tank cells” with electrodes connected in parallel and “filterpress cells” with electrodes in series. In a plant the former electrolysers are connected in series, the latter ones in parallel and eventually also in series. The hydrogen production cost is under certain assumptions about 1,40 NOK/Nm³ or 0,40 NOK/kWh.