German firm Siqens has made a stride in hydrogen separation technology, demonstrating its electrochemical rig at CSIRO’s Hydrogen Technology Demonstration Facility (HTDF) in Victoria, Australia. This is crucial for utilizing geological, or “white,” hydrogen.
At the HTDF, Siqens showcased its rig’s ability to separate hydrogen from helium mixtures ranging from 10% to 75%. The demonstration proved very effective, producing up to 4.7 kilograms of fuel cell quality hydrogen daily, an improvement over previous methods. The process uses a unique membrane that allows hydrogen atoms to split into protons, pass through, and then recombine into purified hydrogen, leaving inert helium behind.
Siqens chose Australia for this demonstration due to the country’s natural hydrogen reserves. Interest in this sector is surging, where exploration activity has intensified. Companies are drawn to natural hydrogen because it could be three to four times cheaper to produce than hydrogen from electrolysis or gas reforming. Gold Hydrogen, for instance, estimates natural hydrogen production could cost less than $2.30 per kilogram, compared to over $6 for other methods.
This project not only validated Siqens’ technology but also provided an opportunity to connect with partners, with 25 organizations visiting the rig. The Australian government’s National Hydrogen Strategy acknowledges the sector’s potential. This innovation by Siqens could play a pivotal role in unlocking Australia’s natural hydrogen potential.
