Optimizing electrolyser cooling processes

A significant part of the future hydrogen demand is estimated to be produced in electrolysers (alkaline/PEM/solid oxide). Maximizing the efficiency and lifetime of these hydrogen electrolysers will be crucial for decarbonization. In today’s technologies, 20-40% of the hydrogen electrolyser capacity is turned into excess heat that needs to be continuously cooled off.

No matter if it’s the commercial electrolyser technologies on the market today, or the ongoing development of the next generation of electrolyser, optimizing the electrolysers cooling as well as the hydrogen plant itself is a key success factor for efficient and scalable green hydrogen production.

Efficient cooling electrolyser system with Alfa Laval heat exchangers

Electrolyser stack

1. Electrolyser stack

This is where the electricity is concentrated and the water is electrolysed into this most simple elements. Where the magic happens!

Electrolyte coolers

2. Anolyte cooler

3. Catholyte cooler

The electrolyte coolers are here to maintain the stack at optimal temperature and remove the waste heat produced during the water electrolysis process. This enables better performance and a longer lifetime of the equipment. Alfa Laval heat exchangers are just the right fit for this duties and enable more adding the possibility to recover the heat from them.

Gas coolers

4. Hydrogen gas cooler

5. Oxygen gas cooler

The gas coolers have the crucial function to insure a good efficiency of green hydrogen production by reducing the gas temperature to the lowest level possible. Alfa Laval heat exchangers enable you to have both safe operations with robust equipment and recover heat from the gas if you want to.

Green hydrogen gives hope for the future

Green hydrogen has long held promise for achieving Europe’s climate targets. Now in Germany, a new pilot project is showing the potential to make this a reality. Using Alfa Laval heat exchangers, Thyssenkrupp Uhde Chlorine Engineers GmbH is testing hydrogen instead of injection coal to reduce CO₂ emissions in ongoing blast furnace operations at its Duisburg site. The only thing left over from this new process is water vapor.

This project, which is funded by the German government, uses the metallurgical gases produced during steelmaking to produce chemicals, thus reducing CO₂ emissions in both steelmaking and chemical production. Check out the full story to learn more about the critical role Alfa Laval technology has played in this pilot.

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Supplies the world’s largest green hydrogen plant

Alfa Laval has signed an agreement to deliver compact heat exchangers to the world’s largest green hydrogen plant, which is to be constructed in the Middle East. The facility, powered by renewable energy, will be part of the city of Neom, built from scratch in the northwestern desert, with the ambition of establishing a new model for sustainable living.

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Alfa Laval’s offering in green hydrogen production

• Highly efficient and flexible
• Space-saving compact unit
• Low operating cost possible owing to superior energy efficiency and prolonged service intervals
• Safe and reliable sealing with no risk of cross-contamination
• Pressure and temperature fatigue resistant

Meet with modern requirements

• Highest thermal efficiency and close temperature approach
• Compact units - space saving, easy to service and maintain
• Maximum uptime - less fouling, stress, wear and corrosion
• Flexible - easy to adapt to changed duty requirements

Sustainable, safe and cost-efficient

• Alfa Laval’s patented AlfaFusion technology
• 100% stainless steel construction
• Virtually maintenance free
• Reduced installation costs

For all Alfa Laval heat exchangers

• Automatic backflushing for uninterrupted filtering process
• Easy installation and maintenance
• Increased cooling system uptime and lower maintenance costs
• Proven, reliable technology