Waste Heat to Hydrogen Production

Detailed overview of innovation with sample startups and prominent university research


What it is

Waste heat to hydrogen production involves utilizing waste heat from industrial processes or other sources to power the production of hydrogen. This approach offers a sustainable and potentially carbon-neutral pathway to green hydrogen production, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and contributing to a cleaner energy future.

Impact on climate action

Waste Heat to Hydrogen Production under Industrial Waste Heat Recovery advances climate action by converting industrial waste heat into hydrogen fuel. By utilizing otherwise wasted energy, this innovation provides a clean alternative to fossil fuels, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fostering a sustainable energy transition, mitigating climate change impacts.

Underlying
Technology

  • Thermochemical Water Splitting: High-temperature waste heat can be used to drive thermochemical cycles, such as the sulfur-iodine cycle or the copper-chlorine cycle, which split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Steam Reforming of Methane: Waste heat can be used to provide the heat needed for steam reforming of methane (natural gas or biogas) to produce hydrogen.
  • Electrolysis: Waste heat can be used to generate electricity, which can then be used to power electrolyzers that split water into hydrogen and oxygen.
  • Hybrid Systems: Hybrid systems combine waste heat recovery with other renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to provide a more consistent and reliable source of energy for hydrogen production.

TRL : 4-6 (depending on the specific technology)


Prominent Innovation themes

  • High-Temperature Thermochemical Cycles: Researchers are developing more efficient and cost-effective thermochemical cycles for water splitting, utilizing advanced materials and reactor designs.
  • Low-Temperature Electrolysis: Innovations in electrolyzer technology are enabling the use of lower-temperature waste heat for hydrogen production, expanding the range of potential applications.
  • Waste Heat Recovery and Integration: Advanced heat exchangers and system integration strategies are improving the efficiency of waste heat recovery and its utilization for hydrogen production.
  • Hydrogen Storage and Distribution: Innovations in hydrogen storage and distribution technologies, such as compressed hydrogen storage, liquid hydrogen storage, and hydrogen pipelines, are essential for enabling the widespread adoption of green hydrogen produced from waste heat.

Other Innovation Subthemes

  • Enhanced Thermochemical Water Splitting Techniques
  • Advancements in Steam Reforming of Methane with Waste Heat
  • Next-Generation Electrolysis Systems for Waste Heat Utilization
  • Integrating Hybrid Systems for Consistent Hydrogen Production
  • Innovative Materials for Thermochemical Cycles
  • Optimized Waste Heat Recovery and Integration Strategies
  • Scaling Up Waste Heat to Hydrogen Technologies

Related Innovations

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Sample Global Startups and Companies

  1. Sunfire:
    • Technology Enhancement: Sunfire specializes in high-temperature electrolysis and power-to-gas solutions for hydrogen production. Their waste heat to hydrogen production technology involves utilizing excess heat from industrial processes or renewable energy sources to drive electrolysis, splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. This process, known as high-temperature electrolysis, enables efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Sunfire stands out for its expertise in high-temperature electrolysis and its focus on waste heat utilization for hydrogen production. Their technology offers a sustainable pathway for converting waste heat into valuable hydrogen fuel, contributing to decarbonization efforts and energy efficiency improvements in various industries.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Sunfire serves industries with waste heat streams, such as steel manufacturing, chemical processing, and power generation. Their waste heat to hydrogen production solutions help these industries reduce emissions, increase energy efficiency, and unlock new revenue streams through hydrogen valorization.
  2. Ways2H:
    • Technology Enhancement: Ways2H specializes in waste-to-hydrogen solutions, including the conversion of various waste feedstocks into hydrogen through thermochemical processes. Their technology involves gasification of organic waste materials, such as municipal solid waste or biomass, followed by purification and reforming to produce hydrogen gas. This process offers a sustainable and decentralized approach to hydrogen production from waste sources.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Ways2H stands out for its innovative approach to waste-to-hydrogen conversion and its focus on decentralized hydrogen production. Their technology enables communities and industries to convert waste materials into clean hydrogen fuel, reducing waste disposal costs, mitigating environmental impacts, and providing a renewable energy source for transportation and industry.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Ways2H serves municipalities, waste management companies, and industrial facilities seeking sustainable waste management and hydrogen production solutions. Their waste-to-hydrogen technology can be deployed in diverse settings, including waste treatment plants, agricultural facilities, and remote communities, providing a versatile and environmentally friendly alternative to conventional waste disposal methods.
  3. Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies:
    • Technology Enhancement: Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies specializes in liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology for hydrogen storage and transport. Their waste heat to hydrogen production process involves coupling high-temperature electrolysis with LOHC-based hydrogen storage systems. Excess heat from industrial processes or renewable energy sources is used to produce hydrogen through electrolysis, which is then stored in liquid form using LOHC molecules for later use or transportation.
    • Uniqueness of the Startup: Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies stands out for its innovative LOHC-based hydrogen storage technology and its integration with waste heat to hydrogen production systems. Their approach enables efficient and flexible hydrogen storage and transport, overcoming challenges associated with hydrogen logistics and enabling the utilization of waste heat for hydrogen valorization.
    • End-User Segments Addressing: Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies serves industries with waste heat resources, renewable energy projects, and hydrogen infrastructure needs. Their waste heat to hydrogen production and storage solutions cater to sectors such as steelmaking, chemical processing, and renewable energy integration, offering a sustainable and scalable pathway for hydrogen utilization.

Sample Research At Top-Tier Universities

  1. National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):
    • Research Focus: NREL is a pioneering institution in the research of Waste Heat to Hydrogen Production, focusing on developing novel thermochemical and electrochemical processes to efficiently convert industrial waste heat into hydrogen, a clean and versatile energy carrier.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves exploring advanced catalysts, reactors, and heat exchangers for capturing and utilizing waste heat streams from industrial processes, such as steelmaking, cement production, and chemical manufacturing, to drive endothermic reactions for hydrogen generation. They also investigate integrated system designs, process intensification strategies, and techno-economic analysis to optimize energy efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and scalability.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in industrial decarbonization, hydrogen production hubs, and energy storage. By valorizing waste heat for hydrogen production, NREL’s research contributes to enhancing energy efficiency, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting the transition to a sustainable and low-carbon economy.
  2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT):
    • Research Focus: MIT conducts innovative research on Waste Heat to Hydrogen Production, leveraging its expertise in materials science, chemical engineering, and renewable energy technologies to develop advanced thermochemical and photoelectrochemical processes for efficient and scalable hydrogen generation.
    • Uniqueness: Their research encompasses the design and synthesis of novel catalysts, membranes, and reactor configurations for capturing and utilizing waste heat from industrial sources to drive high-temperature thermochemical cycles or photoelectrochemical water splitting reactions for hydrogen production. They also explore hybrid approaches, system integration techniques, and process optimization strategies to enhance performance, reliability, and cost-effectiveness.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work find applications in distributed hydrogen production, fuel cell vehicles, and grid-balancing services. By harnessing waste heat for hydrogen generation, MIT’s research contributes to improving energy security, reducing dependence on fossil fuels, and mitigating climate change impacts.
  3. Technical University of Munich (TUM):
    • Research Focus: TUM is engaged in cutting-edge research on Waste Heat to Hydrogen Production, leveraging its expertise in thermodynamics, process engineering, and renewable energy systems to develop innovative approaches for utilizing waste heat from industrial processes for hydrogen synthesis.
    • Uniqueness: Their research involves developing novel reactor designs, heat exchanger materials, and process control strategies for efficient heat recovery and hydrogen production from industrial waste streams. They also investigate co-electrolysis, thermochemical looping, and membrane-based separation techniques to improve energy efficiency, system flexibility, and hydrogen purity.
    • End-use Applications: The outcomes of their work have applications in green hydrogen production facilities, hydrogen refueling stations, and industrial symbiosis networks. By leveraging waste heat for hydrogen synthesis, TUM’s research supports the decarbonization of multiple sectors, including transportation, industry, and power generation, fostering a more sustainable and resilient energy system.

commercial_img Commercial Implementation

Waste heat to hydrogen production is still in the early stages of development, and commercial implementation is limited. However, several demonstration projects and pilot plants are underway, showcasing the potential of this technology for green hydrogen production.



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