The specialists of NPO Centrotech LLC (an enterprise of the Rosatom Fuel Company TVEL in Novouralsk, Sverdlovsk region) have completed the first stage of testing of an electrolysis plant with a capacity of 50 Nm3/h (normal cubic meters of hydrogen per hour), created on the basis of a unique Russian technology. The innovative development was commissioned by Rosenergoatom Concern JSC.
The prototype of the new installation combines the competitive advantages of the two most common industrial water electrolysis technologies - alkaline flow technology and electrolysis based on a proton exchange membrane, but it is devoid of their disadvantages. For example, electrolysis batteries on an anion exchange matrix, created by Novouralsk specialists, are about 9-10 times smaller than flow-through alkaline batteries of similar performance. At the same time, the requirements for the degree of water purification for electrolysis are significantly lower than when using electrolysis plants based on a proton exchange membrane.
Rosatom's hydrogen production equipment is based on eco-friendly water electrolysis technology using a unique anion-conducting matrix. The use of the matrix and the selected engineering and technological solutions make it possible to ensure the compactness of the entire installation, low specific energy consumption of the electrolysis battery (no more than 4 kW.h per one normal cubic meter of hydrogen produced), high dynamic characteristics (which is especially important for coupling the plant with renewable energy sources), safe operation of the electrolysis plant from zero to 115% of the nominal capacity, as well as the required purity of the hydrogen produced.
"The peculiarity of the new electrolysis plant is that it is made in a container version with the entire set of auxiliary equipment. In addition, 3D printing was used for the first time for the manufacture of the end flanges of electrolysis batteries (as part of NPO Centrotech - one of the Centers of Additive Technologies of Rosatom). This allowed us to significantly reduce the weight, as well as to significantly reduce the complexity and production time of flanges," said Konstantin Bolshakov, chief designer of electrolyzers at NPO Centrotech.
"Rosatom Fuel Company TVEL is implementing a large-scale investment project to create a pilot production of electrolysis equipment in Novouralsk. The enterprises of the Novouralskaya site have all the technological competencies and the necessary experience to master the full cycle of equipment production from electrolysis cells to complete installations in block-modular and container design. This project is part of a Single roadmap approved by the Interdepartmental Working Group on the Development of Hydrogen Energy in the Russian Federation, and should be completed by the end of 2026," said Alexander Shtarev, Director of the Department for Development and Support of New Businesses of TVEL JSC.
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The development of import-independent water electrolysis technology and the creation of industrial production of electrolysis equipment in Russia is an important industry and state task to ensure national technological sovereignty.
Hydrogen energy is one of the priority directions of scientific and technological development of the Rosatom State Corporation. Rosatom's innovative technologies are based on the advanced achievements of Russian nuclear science and fully meet the current ESG agenda. The use of the developed electrolysis plants is envisaged in the implementation of pilot projects to create a hydrogen energy infrastructure in Russia. It is assumed that the first experimental and pilot plants produced by NPO Centrotech will be used in the creation of a Hydrogen Engineering Center with a test site on Sakhalin Island, a bench test complex for the production of hydrogen at the Kola NPP, a hydrogen refueling complex for providing hydrogen fuel cell trains on Sakhalin, as well as in other pilot projects.
The installation was created as part of an investment project to create Russian technologies for large-scale production and consumption of hydrogen. This is the next step in the development of a model range of Russian electrolysis plants based on industry-specific technological solutions. Earlier, Rosatom developed a line of electrolysis plants with a capacity from 5 to 40 Nm3/h and presented a 5 Nm3/h installation. At the same time, electrolysis elements manufactured by NPO Centrotech have a significant potential to increase efficiency, which will allow for the creation of higher-performance installations in existing layout solutions in the future.
Rosatom State Corporation, one of the technological leaders of the world economy, supports the global environmental agenda for the transition to low-carbon technologies and implements a strategic program for the development of hydrogen energy in Russia, which includes the development of its own technological competencies throughout the entire supply chain of hydrogen, starting from promising methods of its production, such as electrolysis, and ending with storage and transportation to local and foreign consumers. Rosatom's largest enterprises are currently developing efficient and internationally competitive solutions in this area, including new advanced electrolysis systems.
The Russian industry has a goal to ensure technological sovereignty and transition to the latest technologies as soon as possible. The state and large domestic companies direct resources to the accelerated development of the domestic research, infrastructure, scientific and technological base. The introduction of innovations and new high-tech equipment allows Rosatom and its enterprises to occupy new niches in the market, increasing the competitiveness of the nuclear industry and the entire Russian industry as a whole.
© Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation