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Electrochemical pumps based on ion-pair membranes for separation of hydrogen from low-concentration mixtures

Author

Listed:
  • Manjeet Chhetri

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Daniel Philip Leonard

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Sandip Maurya

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Prashant Sharan

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Youngkwang Kim

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Alisa Kozhushner

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Lior Elbaz

    (Bar-Ilan University)

  • Nasser Ghorbani

    (Gemini Energy)

  • Mehdi Rafiee

    (Gemini Energy)

  • Cortney Kreller

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

  • Yu Seung Kim

    (Los Alamos National Laboratory)

Abstract

Producing pure, compressed hydrogen from gas mixtures is a crucial, but expensive, aspect of hydrogen distribution. Electrochemical hydrogen pumps offer a promising energy-efficient solution, but struggle with gas mixtures containing less than 20% hydrogen. Here we show that electrochemical hydrogen pumps equipped with phosphate-coordinated quaternary ammonium ion-pair polymer membranes can overcome this challenge. By using a protonated phosphonic acid ionomer and selective cathode humidification, mass transport of the device is enhanced, boosting hydrogen production from low-concentration hydrogen gas mixtures. A tandem ion-pair electrochemical hydrogen pump system achieves high-purity hydrogen (>99.999%) from a 10% hydrogen–methane mixture with nearly 100% faradaic efficiency and hydrogen recovery. A techno-economic analysis reveals that electrochemical hydrogen pumps can reduce hydrogen delivery costs by up to 95% and energy consumption by up to 65% by allowing the use of existing natural gas pipelines, compared to traditional pressure swing adsorption and mechanical compression techniques.

Suggested Citation

  • Manjeet Chhetri & Daniel Philip Leonard & Sandip Maurya & Prashant Sharan & Youngkwang Kim & Alisa Kozhushner & Lior Elbaz & Nasser Ghorbani & Mehdi Rafiee & Cortney Kreller & Yu Seung Kim, 2024. "Electrochemical pumps based on ion-pair membranes for separation of hydrogen from low-concentration mixtures," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 9(12), pages 1517-1528, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natene:v:9:y:2024:i:12:d:10.1038_s41560-024-01669-6
    DOI: 10.1038/s41560-024-01669-6
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