MARVEL · Novel MAterial and Process Design for ReVerse Electrodialysis-Water ELectrolysis Energy System

Novel MAterial and Process Design for ReVerse Electrodialysis-Water ELectrolysisEnergy System

The skyrocketing demand for energy across the globe has intensified the search for alternative clean and renewable energy technologies that are fundamental to sustainable socio-economic development, national security, and environmental safety. The MARVEL project was designed to implement high-quality research focusing on clean energy and hydrogen production technologies. The core objectives of MARVEL were to: i) design a monovalent ion-selective membrane for RED ii) develop novel, fully characterized membrane separators and polymer binders for APWEL iii) test RED-APWEL process with these new materials and iv) perform a techno-economic assessment for commercial feasibility. To achieve cutting-edge knowledge and expertise, the researcher (Dr. Ramato Ashu Tufa) was trained in a range of scientific, technical and industrial interdisciplinary training activities. The multidisciplinary MARVEL project has led to several outcomes and innovations. Specifically, a new type of monovalent selective cation exchange membranes (CEMs) were designed for RED through chemical modification using composite solutions based on pyrrole (conducting polymer) and chitosan (biopolymer). The unique property of such membranes restricted the so-called ‘uphill transport’ which is a phenomenon resulting in the reduction of open-circuit voltage and the power density of RED under natural conditions. For the APWEL, a novel anion exchange membrane (AEM) based on Polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene-ran-butylene)-block-polystyrene (PSEBS) base material functionalized with 1,4-diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) were synthesized by solution casting, which is a potentially scalable approach for large-scale membrane fabrication. This AEM were combined with cheap, earth-abundant electrocatalysts such as NiCo2O4 and NiFe2O4 to form a catalyst-coated-membranes (CCMs) to design a more economical, high performing APWEL system. Generally, the development of high performance RED system and the use of novel CCMs in combination with electrocatalysts based on low-cost materials is a strategic route to design a more efficient, economically affordable RED driven APWEL system. Only in the EU, the theoretical potential of SGP is estimated to be 2,109 TWh/year. Efficient exploitation of this energy represents a potential hydrogen production capacity of 33 Mt/year significantly enhancing the EU's capability to secure sustainable energy supplies, and transition to a decarbonized energy system. This advance substantially impacts the competitiveness of EU’s research on renewable energy technologies worldwide.

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