According to the Chinese Academy of Engineering, the world's first non-desalinated saltwater direct electrolysis technology for hydrogen production from offshore wind power pilot test was a remarkable success in Xinghua Bay, Fujian Province, China.

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Since mid-May, the pilot trial has been conducted on the world's first floating offshore hydrogen production platform, Dongfu No. 1, which combines renewable energy, hydrogen production, smart energy conversion management, safety detection control, unloading, and hoisting. After overcoming difficult sea conditions such as gale winds, one-meter high waves, and heavy rains, the pilot test has been in continuous and stable operation for more than 240 hours.

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As the world's largest hydrogen mine, hydrogen production from seawater in the ocean is a critical future direction for hydrogen growth.

However, its practical feasibility is jeopardized by insufficient durability as a result of electrode side reactions and corrosion concerns caused by the complex components of seawater. In this regard, Indirect seawater splitting by using a pre-desalination process relies heavily on large-scale desalination equipment and requires complicated process and land resources, which increase the cost and engineering construction difficulty, making it economically less attractive. Although scientists have exploited extensively great direct seawater electrolysis method research during the last half a century, there has been few breakthroughs to completely avoid the impact of complex components of seawater on the electrolytic hydrogen production system.

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According to Professor Xie Heping, a Chinese Academy of Engineering academician, the non-desalination in situ direct electrolysis hydrogen synthesis method from seawater deviates from traditional chemistry in concept. The physical and mechanical drive of steam pressure difference separates the influence of over 90 complex elements and microorganisms in seawater, addressing side-reaction and corrosion issues during hydrogen production, and breaking the world's traditional model of pure water hydrogen production. The novel proposed direct seawater electrolysis technology allows for the synthesis of hydrogen from endless saltwater. When paired with offshore wind power, the new approach has the potential to transform the way the world creates energy in the future.

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Source: CCTV Finance