A French start-up company Gen-Hy has created novel, high-performance PGM-free (platinum group metal-free) catalysts free of any rare earth metals using catalytic deposition methods on its Gen-AEM membranes for use in alkaline electrolysers.
In contrast to the market’s average efficiency of 65%, this technical advancement allows for efficiency levels higher than 85%. Gen-Hy is regarded as the industry’s most effective business.
There are numerous methods for creating green hydrogen, such as water electrolysis, which is expensive but produces highly pure gas.
In an effort to increase productivity, the hydrogen manufacturing process is being optimised. Once optimised, the process will create hydrogen that is both inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
Because nickel is a cheap and plentiful metal, Gen-Hy has created a new formulation of high-performance catalysts based on it. This takes the place of catalysts’ usual expensive and rare earth metal components, such as platinum and iridium.
By using nano-catalysts placed on the Gen-AEM® membranes, the process improvement is primarily related to an increase in the contact surface between the catalyst and water.
Gen-Hy boosts the efficiency of the electrolysis reaction and increases the amount of hydrogen produced for a 1 MW electrolyser by 30% thanks to a novel application procedure on the market.
While the market average for a hydrogen production capacity of 395 kg/day is 65% efficient, Gen-Hy achieves efficiencies of over 85% with a hydrogen production capacity of 518 kg/day for 1 MW consumed electrical power.
These research findings came about after three years of R&D. The filing of patent applications has begun. By building an AEM electrolyser production facility in Belfort, which is scheduled to be completed in 2024, Gen-Hy will attempt to move hydrogen production from the laboratory size to the industrial scale.
With these outcomes, Gen-Hy is making great strides towards making hydrogen an affordable and environmentally friendly alternative.
