Sinopec's Groundbreaking Seawater Hydrogen Production Project in Qingdao Refinery
Key Ideas
  • Sinopec completes China's first factory-based seawater hydrogen production project at its Qingdao Refinery, achieving an hourly output of 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen.
  • The innovative project integrates direct seawater electrolysis with renewable energy-powered green hydrogen production, offering a new solution for coastal regions to utilize renewable energy.
  • Seawater hydrogen production conserves freshwater resources and transforms unstable renewable energy into a more easily storable and usable form, contributing to the development of the hydrogen energy industry.
  • Despite challenges like salt content and impurities in seawater, Sinopec overcame them through specialized equipment innovations, positioning seawater hydrogen production for large-scale industrial applications in the future.
China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec) has successfully completed China's first factory-based seawater hydrogen production research project at its Qingdao Refinery. This pioneering project integrates direct seawater electrolysis with renewable energy-powered green hydrogen production, achieving an impressive hourly output of 20 cubic meters of green hydrogen. The innovative approach not only provides a new solution for coastal regions to utilize renewable energy for green hydrogen production but also presents an alternative pathway for the resourceful utilization of high-salinity industrial wastewater. The project, adopting a factory-based operation model, utilizes green electricity from Qingdao Refinery's floating photovoltaic power station to split seawater into hydrogen and oxygen through electrolysis. The produced hydrogen is seamlessly integrated into the refinery's pipeline network for use in refining processes or hydrogen-powered vehicles, ensuring operational efficiency and stability. Seawater hydrogen production holds significant potential by directly converting seawater into hydrogen, making it easier to store and utilize compared to unstable renewable energy sources. Additionally, this process aids in conserving precious freshwater resources, offering a new development pathway for the hydrogen energy industry. Despite challenges posed by seawater impurities and salt content, Sinopec, in collaboration with the Dalian Institute of Petroleum and Petrochemicals, overcame these obstacles through specialized equipment innovations like chlorine-resistant electrode technology and high-performance electrode plate design. These advancements, along with a seawater circulation system, enable the seamless integration of research and practical applications. Looking ahead, seawater hydrogen production is poised for large-scale industrial applications. Sinopec is dedicated to becoming China's leading hydrogen energy company by advancing hydrogen technologies throughout the industry chain. With milestones like deploying a megawatt-scale PEM electrolyzer and commissioning China's first 100-kilowatt Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell (SOEC) project, Sinopec plans to establish 136 hydrogen refueling stations and build 11 hydrogen fuel supply centers by 2024, signaling a commitment to driving quality growth in the hydrogen energy sector.
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