Australian researchers at CSIRO are developing a groundbreaking off-grid, portable hydrogen generator capable of producing zero-emissions fuel directly at the point of consumption.
The project, considered an Australian first, aims to address the challenges associated with extracting hydrogen from liquid carriers efficiently and cost-effectively. With a $10 million investment over six years from Advanced Carbon Engineering, a demonstration unit will be built based on CSIRO’s patented technology.
The use of a liquid carrier for hydrogen storage offers safety advantages and enables transport from production sites, such as solar or wind farms, to the desired locations where the energy will be utilized. However, the extraction process has historically been expensive and energy-intensive. CSIRO’s solution lies in their patented catalytic static mixers, which accelerate and enhance chemical reactions without the need for moving parts.
According to Dr. John Chiefari, a CSIRO researcher, the precise control offered by the catalytic static mixers allows the process to be highly scalable without encountering typical technical challenges. If successful, this breakthrough will enable local and on-demand hydrogen production from the carrier fluid, which can be safely stored in standard tanks similar to diesel or petrol. Leveraging existing diesel or petrol infrastructure for management further enhances the viability of this approach.
Vicky Au, CSIRO’s deputy hydrogen industry mission lead, emphasizes that this demonstration will mark the first hydrogen production of its kind using Australian technology. The portability of the generator unit is a key advantage, enabling deployment in various locations such as farms, festivals, industrial facilities, or mine sites. Au emphasizes the importance of collaboration between industry and research in delivering solutions for a sustainable future.
The project is part of CSIRO’s Hydrogen Industry Mission, which aims to propel the hydrogen industry forward and facilitate the delivery of hydrogen to consumers efficiently.
