Development of technology to separate hydrogen from low-concentration hydrogen streams

This topic calls for proposals to develop hydrogen separation technology and to validate the system by separating hydrogen from natural gas/hydrogen mixtures. It is expected that the technology readiness level at the end of the project is at least 5, meaning that the function of system has been tested in a relevant environment (for example a resident environment in case the hydrogen is used for a residential fuel cell system, or a refuelling station if fuel cell vehicles are targeted). Validation should be done at least 25% scale for the application (for example above 25 kg/d of hydrogen separated for retail stations). Proposals should justify that the scale of validation is relevant and indicate how the system can be scaled up.

Proposals should further aim to address the economic feasibility of the system by comparing the cost of hydrogen obtained from the separation system with alternative sources of hydrogen, like reformation of a natural gas hydrogen mixture as well as with state of the art separ

Common hydrogen separation systems and technologies are developed for hydrogen rich streams. Recovery of hydrogen from streams with only a low concentration of hydrogen is currently expensive and inefficient, or reduces the pressure of the bulk gas and therefore its value. Separation technologies need to be developed or improved to make recovery of hydrogen from such gas streams economically attractive and energy efficient.

A main application would be the separation of hydrogen from the natural gas grid, thus enabling its use for the storage and distribution of hydrogen. Further applications could be found in separating hydrogen from mixtures produced in chemical or biological processes, where it otherwise would be used to generate heat or even be vented.

This topic calls for proposals to separate hydrogen from the natural gas grid with typical hydrogen concentrations below 10% by volume. Technology proposed for development is preferably also suitable for separation of hydrogen from other gas m

The project will show the feasibility of cost (<1.5€/kg) and energy effective (<5 kWh/kg) extraction of hydrogen from very low hydrogen concentration streams, in particular the extraction of hydrogen that has been blended into the natural gas grid at a scale that is relevant for the final application.

The developed technology will provide a route to:

• Increase the value of hydrogen blended into the natural gas grid, improving the economics of central hydrogen production from excess renewable energy couples with natural gas grid injection
• Reduced cost, and therefore increased use of hydrogen from very dilute hydrogen streams in energy and transport applications