Alkaline Electrolysis at Sea for Green Hydrogen Production: A Solution to Electrolyte Deterioration

Abstract

This article illustrates a novel method to produce hydrogen at sea with no carbon footprint, based on alkaline electrolysis, which is the cheapest electrolysis method for in-land hydrogen production, coupled to offshore renewable farms. The novelty of the method presented in this work is the solution to cope with the logistic problem of periodical renewal of the alkaline electrolyte, considered problematic in an offshore context. Such solution consists in the integration of a small chlor-alkali plant to produce new electrolyte in situ. This article describes a proposal to combine alkaline water electrolysis and chlor-alkali processes, first considering both in a separate manner, and then describing and discussing the combined solution, which seeks high efficiency and sustainability.