[ editorial ]
Dear readers ,
The surge of announcements regarding new electrolyser manufacturing plants shows no signs of abating . In fact , it is accelerating in the United States , where the Inflation Reduction Act is proving extremely successful in meeting its objective to drive investment in clean technologies . However , as electrolyser manufacturers ambitiously scale up their production plans , they are increasingly vulnerable to supply chain bottlenecks involving the numerous components used in electrolyser stacks .
Among the companies recognising this challenge is Omniseal Solutions . As a globally established specialist in the design and manufacture of precision sealing and material solutions , the company is steadfast in its commitment to playing a pivotal role in supplying one critical electrolyser component – gaskets . Leveraging in-house expertise and robust R & D capabilities , Omniseal Solutions has developed new material formulations and cost-effective manufacturing processes tailored for the latest and upcoming generations of alkaline and PEM electrolysers . As stacks are increasing in power capacity , they require progressively larger gaskets . In support of this trend , the company is developing single-piece , large-diameter polymer gaskets , with a maximum size exceeding two meters , surpassing any sheet size currently available on the market . Read the cover story to learn more about Omniseal Solutions ’ plans , competencies , business philosophy , and much more .
In this issue , six new contributors delve into four other topics that are of great significance to the emerging hydrogen economy . Sanjay Purswani from Boston Consulting Group provides a comprehensive introduction to high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis , a process well-suited for heat-intensive applications such as refining , industrial heat generation , and steel production .
In another article focusing on the industrial use of hydrogen , Felipe Gallardo and Anton Frisk from Southern Lights discuss the need for and the potential of green ammonia , which is produced by integrating green hydrogen with the Haber-Bosch process . They highlight the challenges associated with this integration , propose innovative solutions to overcome them , and underscore the positive impact of doing so .
Philip Bayley from Pure Water Group delves into the topic of ultrapure water as a feedstock for green hydrogen production . Specifically , he focuses on electrodeionization ( EDI ), an electrochemical membrane process that may be used as part of the ultrapure water preparation , explaining the EDI process and highlighting its advantages , especially for high capacities that are becoming required as hydrogen production scales up .
And finally , Ilaria Schiavi and Marianna Franchino from Turin ’ s Environment Park introduce the BEST4Hy project , which is dedicated to developing low-environmental-impact technologies for the recovery and recycling of materials essential to the hydrogen supply chain , and provide an analysis of the challenges and opportunities associated with the recycling of end-of-life hydrogen technologies .
The next issue of Hydrogen Tech World will be released in December . If you are interested in contributing to the magazine , please do not hesitate to contact me at m . matosec @ kci-world . com .
Wishing you much reading pleasure ,
Matjaž Matošec
Editor-in-Chief
Hydrogen Tech World | Issue 12 | October 2023 3