GUJARAT TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY

Chandkheda, Ahmedabad
Affiliated (2022)

GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING COLLEGE, VALSAD

“Development of zero carbon electrolyzers to
produce hydrogen”
Under subject of DESIGN ENGINEERING
B. E. Semester –III
(Chemical Branch)
Academic year :-2022-2023
Submitted By:

Sr. NAME ENROLLMENT

No. No.

1. LAD HEMIL RAJESHKUMAR 210190105074

2. VAGHELA RAVI GIRDHARBHAI 210190105075

3. MISTRY DHRUV HASMUKHLAL 210190105076

4. PATEL ABHISEKH MUKESHKUMAR 210190105077

Prof. H. M. Jariwala Prof. N. M. Patel

(FACULTY GUIDE) (HEAD OF DEPARTMENT)

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GOVERNMENT ENGINEERING COLLEGE, VALSAD

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that the project entitled “Development of zero

carbon electrolyzers to produce hydrogen” has been carried out by
“LAD HEMIL RAJESHKUMAR(210190105074) ,VAGHELA RAVI G.
(210190105075) , MISTRY DHRUV H.(210190105076) ,PATEL
ABHISEKH M.(210190105077) ”,under my guidance in fulfillment of
the Design Engineering (3150001) Subject of Bachelor of Engineering
in Chemical Engineering– 3rd Semester of Gujarat Technological
University, Ahmedabad during the academic year 2022.

Name of Guide Head of Department

Prof. H . M .Jariwala Dr. N. M. Patel

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 INDEX

Sr. No. Title Page

No.

1. Abstract 04

2. Introduction 06

Materials and Methods

3. 09

Advantages , Disadvantages and Application

4. 12

Canvas study

1) Canvas -1 AEIOU SUMMARY

2) Canvas -2 Empathy Canvas 18

5. 3) Canvas -3 ideation Canvas

4) Canvas -4 LNM Canvas
5) Canvas -5 Product Development Canvas
6) Canvas -6 Mind map CANVAS

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CHAPTER 1

ABSTRACT

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 ABSTRACT

In current situation world needs more energy than ever before. Which means we need a
sustainable system that can meet these growing demands, whilst also addressing CO2
emissions and the overall impact on the environment. For that one possible solution is
hydrogen, which has the potential to deliver sustainable, efficient and affordable energy at
scale. The environmental impact and energy efficiency of hydrogen depends on how it is
produced. Hydrogen can be produced from diverse, domestic resources, including fossil
fuels, biomass, and water electrolysis with electricity, natural gas gasification, renewable
liquid reforming , fermentation ,high temperature water splitting , photo-biological water
splitting , photo-electrochemical water splitting . we are using electrolysis process with solar
energy. Our objective is to make electrolyzer of combination of alkaline water electrolysis
and solar energy to produce hydrogen. In this we make a cylindrical cell containing sodium
hydroxide (NaOH) as a electrolyte an electrodes of stainless steel connected with a
photovoltaic panel. An electrolyzer is connected with a hydrogen collector system where the
hydrogen is collect. The different types of electrodes and electrolyte use to get best results in
hydrogen production at different volts.

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 CHAPTER 2

INTRODUCTION TO
“DEVELOPMENT OF
ZERO CARBON
ELECTROLYZER TO
PRODUCED
HYDROGEN”

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 Introduction

Hydrogen is not only the most abundant element in the universe. It

could also play an essential role in tomorrow’s energy as renewable source. Here are many
renewable energy source are available like turbine energy/hydroelectricity , wind energy ,
solar energy , geothermal energy , tidal energy , biogas energy.

The exosphere is the uppermost region of Earth's atmosphere as it gradually fades into the
vacuum of space. It starts at an altitude of about 500 km and goes out to about 10,000 km.
The most abundantly found gas in exosphere is hydrogen with some helium, carbon dioxide,
and atomic oxygen near its base. Hydrogen is present in atmosphere in form of combination
of two or more elements such as water, hydrocarbon. It is barely present in our atmosphere,
which contains just 0.00005% hydrogen.

About 80% of energy demand comes from fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, and coal) that produce
greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), which are directly
related to the effects of global warming. The traditional method of extracting hydrogen from
natural gas also creates around 10 tonnes of CO2 for every tonne of hydrogen produced. In
addition, pollution from fossil fuels harms the human health and various forms of life existing
in the environment.

The natural reserves of this resource are limited. In this regard, the need for renewable energy
sources is growing. Hydrogen production from non-renewable sources is economically
viable, but production from renewable sources can significantly reduce adverse
environmental impacts.

Currently, 48% of hydrogen is extracted from natural gas, 30% from the oil industry, 18%
from coal gasification, 3.9% from electrolysis, and 0.1% from other processes. Hydrogen can
be produced from renewable sources in the form of biomass and through processes utilizing
water, such as electrolysis, thermal decomposition, and photo catalytic decomposition.

Electrolysis, process by which electric current is passed through a substance to effect a

chemical change. The chemical change is one in which the substance loses or gains
an electron (oxidation or reduction). The process is carried out in an electrolytic cell, an
apparatus consisting of positive and negative electrodes held apart and dipped into a solution
containing positively and negatively charged ions. The substance to be transformed may form
the electrode, may constitute the solution, or may be dissolved in the solution. Electric
current (i.e., electrons) enters through the negatively charged electrode (cathode);
components of the solution travel to this electrode, combine with the electrons, and are
transformed (reduced). The products can be neutral elements or new molecules. Components
of the solution also travel to the other electrode (anode), give up their electrons , and are
transformed (oxidized) to neutral elements or new molecules. If the substance to be
transformed is the electrode , the reaction is often one in which the electrode dissolves by
giving up electrons. Biomass gasification is a mature technology pathway that uses a
controlled process involving heat, steam, and oxygen to convert biomass to hydrogen and
other products, without combustion.

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 Thermo chemical ( thermal decomposition ) water splitting uses high temperatures from
concentrated solar power or from the waste heat of nuclear power reactions—and chemical
reactions to produce hydrogen and oxygen from water. This is a long-term technology
pathway, with potentially low or no greenhouse gas emissions. From the above process we
are use electrolysis process with solar energy (to provide electricity).

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 CHAPTER 3

MATERIALS AND METHODES

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 -: MATERIAL AND METHODS :-

Hydrogen can be produced from diverse, domestic resources, including fossil fuels,

biomass, and water electrolysis with electricity, natural gas gasification , renewable
liquid reforming , fermentation ,high temperature water splitting , photo-biological water
splitting , photo-electrochemical water splitting.

Common processes to produced hydrogen :-

1. Natural gas gasification

Gasification occurs in a gasifier, generally a high temperature/pressure vessel where

oxygen (or air) and steam are directly contacted with the coal or other feed material
causing a series of chemical reactions to occur that convert the feed to syngas and
ash/slag (mineral residues).

2. Fermentation

In fermentation-based systems, microorganisms, such as bacteria, break down organic

matter to produce hydrogen. The organic matter can be refined sugars, raw biomass
sources such as corn stover, and even wastewater. Because no light is required, these
methods are sometimes called "dark fermentation" methods.

3. High temperature water splitting

Thermochemical water splitting processes use high-temperature heat (500°–2,000°C) to

drive a series of chemical reactions that produce hydrogen. The chemicals used in the
process are reused within each cycle, creating a closed loop that consumes only water
and produces hydrogen and oxygen.

4. Photo-electrochemical water splitting

In photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting, hydrogen is produced from water

using sunlight and specialized semiconductors called photoelectrochemical materials,
which use light energy to directly dissociate water molecules into
hydrogen and oxygen.

From above process we are using electrolysis. Chemical decomposition produced by

passing an electric current through a liquid or solution containing ions this process is
called electrolysis. we are making electrolyzer of combination of alkaline water
electrolysis and solar energy to produce hydrogen. In this we make a cylindrical cell
containing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a electrolyte an electrodes of stainless steel
connected with a photovoltaic panel. An electrolyzer is connected with a hydrogen
collector system where the hydrogen is collect.

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Materials:-

1. Acrylic sheet
2. Stainless steel electrodes
3. Anode
4. Cathode
5. Electrolyte
6. Other types of electrodes
7. Other electrolyte
8. Photovoltaic panel
9. Wires
10. Measuring tools

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 CHAPTER 4

ADVANTAGES, DISADVANTAGES AND APPLICATION

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 -: ADVANTAGES : -

1. It’s a Renewable Energy Source and Bountiful in Supply

Hydrogen is a rich source of energy for many reasons, the main being that it’s bountiful in
supply. While it may take a lot of resources to harness it, no other energy source is infinite as
hydrogen. That essentially means there is no possibility of it running out like other sources of
energy.

2. Numerous Sources to Produce Hydrogen Locally

Hydrogen can be produced either onsite where it will be used or centrally and then
distributed. Hydrogen gas can be produced from methane, gasoline, biomass, coal or water.
The factors like amounts of pollution, technical challenges, and energy requirements vary
depending on the sources used.

3. It is Practically a Clean Energy Source

When hydrogen is burnt to produce fuel, the by products are totally safe, which means they
have no known side effects. Aeronautical companies actually use hydrogen as a source
of drinking water. After hydrogen is utilized, it is normally converted to drinking water for
astronauts on ship or space stations.

4. Hydrogen Energy is Non-toxic

It is a non-toxic substance that is rare for a fuel source. This means that it is friendly towards
the environment and does not cause any harm or destruction to human health.

This aspect makes it preferred compared to other sources of fuel like nuclear energy, natural
gas, which are extremely hazardous or daunting to harness safely. It also allows hydrogen to
be used in places where other forms of fuel may not be allowed.

5. The Use of Hydrogen Greatly Reduces Pollution

When hydrogen is combined with oxygen in a fuel cell, electricity is produced, which can be
used to power vehicles or drive an electric motor as a heat source and for many other uses.
When it combines with oxygen, the only byproducts are water and heat, which is the
advantage of using hydrogen as an energy carrier.

The use of hydrogen fuel cells does not release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses
or other particulates when renewable sources such as water or solar energy are used in the
production process.

6. It’s Far More Efficient Than Other Sources of energy

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Hydrogen is an efficient energy type since it has the ability to convey a lot of energy for
every pound of fuel compared to diesel or gas. This categorically means that an automobile
that utilizes hydrogen energy will travel more miles than one with an equal amount of
gasoline.

For example, compared to a conventional combustion-based power plant that usually

generates electricity between 33 to 35% efficiency, hydrogen fuel cells are capable of
generating electricity of up to 65% efficiency, having capacity about three times more.

7. Used For Powering Space Ships

Hydrogen energy’s efficiency and power make it an ideal fuel source for spaceships.  Its
power is so high that it’s able to quickly rocket spaceships to exploration missions.

It’s also the safest form of energy to perform such an energy-intensive task. Hydrogen energy
is, in fact, 3 times more potent than gasoline and other fossil-based sources of fuel. This
ideally means that you need less hydrogen to complete an enormous task.

It also offers motive power for airplanes, boats, cars, and both portable and stationary fuel
cell applications. The downside to using hydrogen in cars is that it’s practically difficult to
store in cryogenic or high-pressure tanks.

8. A Sustainable Production System

Electrolysis is a method in which water is separated into hydrogen and oxygen. In this case,
renewable energy can be used to power electrolyzers to produce hydrogen from water that
provides a sustainable system independent of petroleum products and is also nonpolluting,
producing no emissions. Some of the renewable sources used to power electrolyzers are
wind, hydro, solar and tidal energy.

After the hydrogen is produced in an electrolyzer, it can be used in a fuel cell to produce
electricity. The byproducts generated in the fuel cell process are water and heat. If fuel cells
operate at high temperatures, the system can be set up as a co-generator, with the waste
energy used for heating.

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 -: DISADVANTAGES :-

While hydrogen energy has a lot of admirable benefits, it’s not really the outright
preferable, clean and cheap energy source for most governments and companies. In
the gaseous state, it’s quite volatile.

1. Hydrogen Energy is Expensive

Electrolysis and steam reforming, the two main processes of hydrogen extraction, are
extremely expensive. This is the real reason it’s not heavily used across the world. Today,
hydrogen energy is chiefly used to power most hybrid vehicles. A lot of research
and innovation is required to discover cheap and sustainable ways to harness this form of
energy. Until then, hydrogen energy would remain exclusively for the rich.

2. Storage Complications

One of the hydrogen properties is that it has a lower density. In fact, it is a lot less dense than
gasoline. This means that it has to be compressed to a liquid state and stored the same way at
lower temperatures to guarantee its effectiveness and efficiency as an energy source.

This reason also explains why hydrogen must at all times be stored and transported under
high pressure, which is why transportation and common use is far from feasible.

3. It’s Not the Safest Source of Energy

The power of hydrogen should not be underestimated at all. Although gasoline is a little more
dangerous than hydrogen, hydrogen is a highly flammable and volatile substance that
frequently makes headlines for its potential dangers. Compared to gas, hydrogen lacks smell,
which makes any leak detection almost impossible. To detect leaks, one must install sensors.

4. Tricky to Move Around

It’s a daunting task to transport hydrogen brilliantly due to its lightness. Oil can be
transported safely because it’s mostly pushed through pipes.

Coal can conveniently be transported in dump trucks. Hydrogen also presents challenges
when considering moving it in large quantities, which is why it’s mostly transported in small
batches only.

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5. It is Dependent on Fossil fuels

Hydrogen energy is renewable and has a minimal environmental impact, but its separation
from oxygen requires other non-renewable sources such as coal, oil and natural gas. Fossil
fuels are still needed to produce hydrogen fuel.

6. Hydrogen Energy Cannot Sustain the Population

Despite the fact that hydrogen is bountiful in supply, the cost of harnessing it limits extensive
utilization. As you realize, it’s quite challenging to disrupt the status quo.

Energy from fossil fuels still rules the world. There is also no framework put in place to
ensure cheap and sustainable hydrogen energy for the normal car owner in the future.

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 -: APPLICATION OF HYDROGEN :-

 Food:
Hydrogen is used to turn unsaturated fats into to saturated oils and
fats, including hydrogenated vegetable oils like margarine and butter
spreads.
 Metalworking:
Hydrogen is used in multiple applications including metal alloying and
iron flash making.
 Welding:
Atomic hydrogen welding (AHW) is a type of arc welding which utilizes a
hydrogen environment.
 Flat Glass Production:
A mixture of hydrogen and nitrogen is used to prevent oxidation and
therefore defects during manufacturing.
 Electronics Manufacturing:
As an efficient reducing and etching agent, hydrogen is used to create
semiconductors, LEDs, displays, photovoltaic segments, and other
electronics.
 Medical:
Hydrogen is used to create hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Recently,
hydrogen gas has also been studied as a therapeutic gas for a number of
different diseases.
 Agricultural/Chemical Industry:
Hydrogen is a fundamental raw material needed to produce ammonia
(NH3), also known as ozone, an important part of fertilizers used in
agricultural industries around the world. Ammonia can also be used as an
affordable, environmentally- friendly refrigerant (R-717).
 Petroleum Refining Industry:

Hydrogen is commonly used in hydrocracking to create petroleum products, including

gasoline and diesel. It is also used to remove contaminants like sulphur and to create
methanol (CH3OH)

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 CHAPTER 4

CANVAS STUDY

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CANVAS STUDY
Canvas 1 :- AEIOU Summary canvas
[1] Environment:-
The environment of the surrounding to the system is mention below:-

• Automobile industry
• Laboratory
• Metal working
• Glass production industry
The above mentioned are the atmospheric conditions around the given domain.
[2] Interaction :-

• Automobile industry manager

• Refineries manager
• Researchers
 Expert
[3] Object :-

 Cathode
 Anode
 Membrane

The above mentioned are the Objects that are there at our mentioned domain.

[4] Activities :-
Activities which we have done are listed below:-
• Choosing project
• Collecting information
• Study the information
• Fixing process and equipment

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[5] Users:-

The user of the bio-gas to hydrogen which we made are:-

• Auto-mobile company
• Boiler feed
• Furnace

[6] Activities :-
Activities which we have done are listed below:-
• Choosing project
• Collecting information
• Study the information
• Fixing process and equipment

[7] Users:-

The user of the bio-gas to hydrogen which we made are:-

• Auto-mobile company
• Boiler feed
• Furnace

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AEIOU SUMMARY CANVAS:-

FIGURE 1:- AEIOU SUMMARY

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Canvas:-2 Empathy Canvas

[1] Users:-

• Auto-mobile company
• Boiler feed
• Furnace

[2] Stakeholders:-

We have following stakeholders relates to hydrogen:-

• Manager of Refineries
• Manager of Automobile
[3] Activities:-
Here are the Activities talking place at the domain
• Choosing project
• Collecting information
• Study the information
• Fixing process and equipment

[4] Story bonding:-

Here are two happy and two sad story relates to our topic:-
• Happy:-
This project is environment friendly. Small space is require for placing plants and
easier to operate. It is an opportunity for entrepreneurs in fuel industry.
• Happy:-
Hydrogen is used as a fuel in vehicles. It is cheaper to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen can be
produced from diverse domestic resources with the potential. For near – zero greenhouse gas
emission.
• Sad:-
There is a chance of leakage .Work with precaution is needed.
• Sad:-
There is a leakage problem in this project so that we have to provide better
Storage.

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 EMPHTHY CANVAS

FIGURE 2 EMPHTHY CANVAS

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Canvas:-3 ideation canvas
[1] People :-
People which are relates to system are as under:-

• Researchers
• Scientist
• Other industrial person
• Developer
[2] Activities:-

There are various types of activities we have done :-

• Choosing project
• Collecting information
• Study the information
• Fixing process and equipment

[3] Situation/location:-

• Combustion
• Energy production
• Hydrogen fuel is ecofriendly and renewable
• Use as fuel in automobile
[4] Props:-

• NaOH electrolite
• Cathode
• Anode
• Hydrogen collector
• Acrylic sheet
• Stainless Steel
• Wires
• Photovoltaic panel

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 IDEATION CANVAS

FIGURE 3:- IDEATION CANVAS

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LNM CANVAS

FIGURE 4:- LNM CANVAS

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Canvas:-5 product development canvas
[1] Purpose:-

 Reduced carbon emission

 Earn carbon credits
• Low cost
• Make ecofriendly fuel

[2] People:-

• Researchers
• Other industrial person
• Developer
•scientist
[3] Product experience:-

• Easy to operate
• Low cost
• Eco-friendly

[4] Product function:-

• Use as fuel in vehicles

• Zero emission

[5] Product features:-

• Growth in transportation
• Ecofriendly
• Reduced environment pollution

[6] Components:-

• Cathode
• Stainless steel electrodes
• Acrylic sheet

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 Hydrogen collector
 NaOH solution

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT CANVAS

FIGURE 5 :- PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

CANVAS

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29
MIND MAPPING

FIGURE 6 :-MIND MAP CANVAS

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