XINTC's Globally Unique Electrolyzer

In early December, the small town of Kootwijkerbroek, Netherlands, became the stage for the presentation of a globally unique electrolyzer. This innovative hydrogen production system stands out for its distinct design and operational characteristics, challenging traditional approaches to hydrogen production.

Unlike typical PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) or alkaline electrolyzer, this system avoids the use of precious metals, making it more sustainable and cost-effective. The system is built modularly in small, scalable steps, allowing for flexibility in deployment and easier maintenance. The stacks in the electrolyzer are free of precious metals, reducing environmental and financial costs while maintaining efficiency. Connected to a solar park with over 40,000 panels, the electrolyzer leverages a direct, renewable energy source for hydrogen production, reinforcing its green credentials.

The electrolyzer's combination of non-precious metal stacks, scalable modularity, and integration with a large-scale solar park represents a significant departure from conventional hydrogen production methods. This innovative approach could set new standards in cost efficiency, scalability, and sustainability, making green hydrogen more accessible and practical for global adoption.

Let's start at the beginning. The power for the electrolysers in this setup comes from a solar park, which means that the supply of energy can fluctuate greatly. What does that mean for this system?

The XINTC electrolyzer is purpose-built to handle fluctuating energy sources like solar and wind. Its design enables seamless integration with renewable power, offering key advantages over traditional systems.

The electrolyzer's gas modules (stacks) can switch on and off with any desired frequency, even hundreds of thousands of times, without performance degradation—unlike traditional stacks, which require frequent revisions.

The electrolyzer connects directly to the solar park without requiring optimizers, inverters, or batteries to condition the power, reducing system complexity and costs. By eliminating the need for power electronics, the XINTC electrolyzer achieves higher hydrogen output per m2 of installed solar panels, maximizing the efficiency of the solar park.

How pure should the supply water be?

The XINTC electrolyzer system is designed to work with various water sources, including surface water, well water, and rainwater. Its integrated approach to water purification ensures adaptability and reliability. Every XINTC electrolyzer includes a built-in water purification unit capable of handling typical contaminants. For heavily contaminated water, an additional purification unit can be added in series to enhance treatment. If biological contamination exceeds standard levels, an extra filter can be installed to ensure the water meets the required purity for electrolysis.

This flexible water treatment capability makes XINTC electrolyzer adaptable to diverse environments, ensuring effective operation regardless of water source quality.

XINTC builds individual modules that can be connected to form a large system. Why was this chosen?

XINTC electrolyzers are designed as modular multi-core systems, allowing flexibility and scalability to meet various performance requirements. Each gas module has a nominal capacity of 5 kW and a peak capacity of 6.5 kW. Modules can work with direct DC sources for higher output or AC sources via an optional AC/DC converter, limited to nominal capacity. 30 gas modules form a system section with a 150 kW nominal and 200 kW peak capacity.

Multiple sections are combined in containerized units for easy scalability. A 40ft container (Gas Production Module) accommodates up to 8 sections, providing a 1.2 MW nominal and 1.6 MW peak capacity. These modules can be scaled to virtually any capacity based on customer needs. The modular design ensures flexibility, easier customization, and efficient scalability, enabling XINTC electrolyzers to cater to a wide range of applications and energy demands.

If we open any module, what do we see?

The XINTC gas modules are sealed, non-demountable units, designed for durability and precision. The modules are completely gas and liquid-tight, ensuring no disassembly is needed due to their nearly unlimited lifespan.

Inside, the module contains:

• Channels for liquid and liquid/gas flows.
• Electrodes and a diaphragm to separate oxygen and hydrogen bubbles effectively.
• A carefully engineered geometry to optimize gas and liquid flow.

Control electronics located at the module head manage the electrochemical process with high accuracy. This innovative combination of durability, design, and precision control makes the XINTC gas module a standout in electrolyzer technology.

Are there no precious metals used in the stacks at all or less than in the PEM and alkaline stacks?

XINTC gas modules are designed without the use of any precious or critical materials, unlike traditional PEM and alkaline stacks.

• Electrode Material: Free from classified precious or critical resources.
• Other Components: All materials are readily available and not difficult to obtain.

This approach ensures cost-effectiveness, sustainability, and reduced dependency on scarce resources, making the system more environmentally and economically viable.

What does it mean for the cost price?

XINTC aims to deliver electrolyzers capable of producing hydrogen at the lowest possible cost, regardless of the energy source or hydrogen purity requirements.

• Focus on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO):
• Elimination of Precious Metals:
• Cost Competitiveness:

This innovative approach positions XINTC as a leader in efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production.

After electrolysis, hydrogen is stored in a huge half ball. This is definitely an eye-catcher, but why do you choose low-pressure storage and not high-pressure storage like the competition?

XINTC opts for low-pressure hydrogen storage in a unique semi-spherical storage module, prioritizing efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness over high-pressure storage commonly used by competitors.

• Target Market Needs: Designed for mid-market applications requiring hydrogen at 0.5 bar(g) and 99.5% purity.
• Efficiency at Atmospheric Pressure: Electrolysis at atmospheric conditions is more energy-efficient and avoids the technical challenges and high costs associated with pressurized electrolysis.
• Cost-Effective Storage: The semi-spherical plastic storage module safely stores hydrogen at low pressure, reducing storage costs compared to high-pressure systems.
• Optional Upgrades for Flexibility: For customers needing higher purity (99.999%) or pressure (up to 13 bar(g)), XINTC provides a Compression & Purification Module as a plug-and-play solution.

This approach ensures:

• Lower energy consumption.
• Reduced purchase and maintenance costs.
• Customizable solutions for diverse hydrogen quality and pressure requirements.

XINTC’s system balances efficiency, safety, and flexibility, making it an adaptable and cost-effective solution for hydrogen production and storage.

In order to optimize a hydrogen production company in terms of efficiency, many initiators are looking for a destination for the residual heat and oxygen. Have you thought about that?

XINTC takes a thoughtful and safety-oriented approach to managing residual heat and oxygen generated during hydrogen production, focusing on efficiency, material longevity, and cost-effectiveness.

XINTC systems operate at 45°C, unlike traditional metal stacks that reach 90–95°C, reducing material wear and extending lifespan. Instead of water cooling, XINTC uses ambient air to cool its gas modules, eliminating the need for cooling towers and simplifying the system’s design. High-temperature residual heat is avoided as it negatively impacts material durability. This design choice prioritizes Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) over marginal efficiency gains.

Oxygen, being a delicate and potentially dangerous gas, is currently vented to the atmosphere in a controlled manner. XINTC is considering offering a standard option to capture and utilize oxygen for customers seeking additional efficiency gains.

That's it for now. We'll be back soon with more Innovative and Sustainable news. Did you like this post? Interested in more? Feel free to like and/or share with your network.