GUNT-H2SKILLS
Green hydrogen: future expertise for education
The value chain of hydrogen in industry
To produce green hydrogen, purified water is broken down into hydrogen and oxygen in an electrolyser using renewable energy. The water quality is determined by the specifications of the electrolyser.
To protect downstream processes, the hydrogen produced is first purified. It is then transported to end consumers. To increase the energy density hydrogen can be transformed into e‑ammonia.
In end use, hydrogen and its derivatives are primarily used as raw materials in industry, as fuel for transport, for heating and as a source of electricity generation.
GUNT range of units for development of H2SKILLS
For the production of hydrogen, GUNT offers three different electrolysers:
- electrolyser with anion exchange membrane
- electrolysers with proton exchange membrane
- from fundamentals to industrial scale
With equipment from GUNT, trainees can learn about hydrogen purification processes, some of which are used to produce nitrogen for transformation. The basics of transport via pipelines with a gas booster are also taught.
» further information
As end consumers, GUNT offers fuel cell systems with proton exchange membranes (PEM). The function and structure are demonstrated, and the relationships between the operating parameters are examined.
» further informationET 280 AEM electrolyser with accessories
ET 278 Principles of the H2 circuit (PEM)
ET 282 Industrial electrolyser (PEM)
CE 585 Water purification process
CE 530 Reverse osmosis
CE 300 Ion exchange
CE 540 Adsorptive air drying
CE 545 N2 - Pressure swing adsorption
CE 550 N2 - Membrane separation process
MT 220 Assembly station: gas booster
ET 292 Fuel cell system
Device overview
| GUNT device code | Upstream: production of H2 |
Midstream: purification, transformation, transport |
Downstream: end use |
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| » ET 278 |
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| » ET 282 |
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| » CE 585 |
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| » CE 530 |
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| » CE 300 |
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| » CE 540 |
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| » CE 545 |
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| » CE 550 |
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| » ET 292 |
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1. Production of H2
Hydrogen production through AEM electrolysis using renewable energy
The Anion Exchange Membrane (AEM) divides the AEM electrolyser into two half-cells. An aqueous potassium hydroxide solution circulates as the electrolyte in the anode half-cell, saturating the membrane. There is no liquid in the cathode half-cell.
Water passes through the membrane and is reduced at the cathode.
4H2O + 4e– → 4OH– + 2H2
The hydrogen produced escapes, while the hydroxide ions migrate back into the anode half-cell. This produces oxygen and water at the anode.
4OH–→ 2H2O + O2 + 4e–
In order to fully exploit the potential of green hydrogen production in an experimental setting, GUNT offers a system consisting of coordinated experimental components:
- Photovoltaic modules ET 255.02 and Wind power plant ET 255.04 as renewable energy sources
- Energy system ET 255 for optimised self-consumption through storage utilisation with energy management system
- AEM electrolyser ET 280 for hydrogen production
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ET 255.01 Photovoltaic simulator |
- simulation of current-voltage characteristics of photovoltaic modules
- time-controlled specification of generation and consumption profiles
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ET 255.02 Photovoltaic modules |
- mobile pivoting frame with 4 photovoltaic modules, adjustable angle of inclination
- sensors for module temperature and illuminance
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ET 255.04 Wind power plant |
ET 255.04 serves as an additional renewable energy source.
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emergency stop switch as a safety device |
ET 255 Energy system for solar and wind power
ET 255 contains all necessary networked components of an energy system.
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generator connection box with circuit breaker and overvoltage protection as a safety device |
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charge controller for power optimisation (MPP tracker) |
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LiFePO accumulator with battery management system |
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inverter for grid feed-in and stand-alone operation |
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bidirectional electricity meter with communication interface |
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grid connection |
ET 280 Modular electrolyser for H2 (AEM)
ET 280 contains an electrolyser with a stack consisting of several series-connected cells in bipolar design.
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reverse osmosis system for water purification |
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air-cooled electrolyser with anion exchange membrane (AEM), stack with 24 cells |
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gas burner for flaring the generated hydrogen |
In PEM electrolysis, the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) functions as the electrolyte, enabling ionic conduction between the electrodes. 2H2O → O2 + 4H+ + 4e- The hydrogen ions migrate through the membrane and react with free electrons at the cathode to form hydrogen. 4H++ 4e- → 2H2
Hydrogen production through PEM electrolysis: from fundamentals to industrial scale
Water flows through the anode side. At the anode, water is reduced to produce oxygen, free electrons, and hydrogen ions.
ET 278 Principles of the H2 circuit (PEM)
The ET 278 trainer contains all the components needed to study the conversion of electrical energy into hydrogen and the reverse conversion back into electrical energy in a circuit.
- complete hydrogen cycle
- PEM electrolyser for hydrogen production
- purification of hydrogen in transparent components
- PEM fuel cell for direct hydrogen consumption
- recording of electrical power, volumetric flow rate, pressure with energy balance
- plant control via integrated PLC with touch screen
ET 282 Industrial electrolyser for H2 (PEM)
The ET 282 trainer contains all the components needed to investigate hydrogen production on an industrial scale. The typical process stages are divided into water purification, hydrogen production and hydrogen purification and storage.
- powerful 5kW PEM electrolyser for hydrogen generation
- water purification in closed water circuit
- constant monitoring of cell ageing
- three processes for hydrogen purification
- detection of hydrogen flow rate, temperature and pressure
- digital plant control and data acquisition via a process control system with GUNT software
Water purification
- closed water circuit
- tank with heater for preheating the water
- ion exchanger for adjusting the conductivity
- continuous conductivity analysis
PEM electrolyser
- electrolysis stack with 18 cells
- Catalyst Coated Membrane (CCM) with increased platinum loading
- monitoring the individual cell voltages on the stack for preventive maintenance
- purging with nitrogen via separate connection possible, e.g. for maintenance work
H2 purification
- droplet separator for coarse separation of the water
- cooling section with downstream coalescence filter
- removal of residual moisture via two adsorbers in alternating operation
Water purification processes for electrolysis
CE5 585 Water purification process
- raw water purification on an industrial scale
- familiarization with basic processes for water purification: aeration, filtration, adsorption, ion exchange and disinfection
- carry out maintenance work
CE 530 Reverse osmosis
Purified water is required to produce hydrogen using electrolysis. The water quality is determined by the specifications of the electrolyser. This water quality can be achieved through water purification with reverse osmosis. CE 530 demonstrates the basic principle of reverse osmosis using a membrane separation process.
- assembly, cleaning and conservation of membrane modules
- fundamental principle of reverse osmosis, Van’t Hoff’s law
- determination of diffusion coefficients
CE 300 Ion exchange
Ion exchangers are used in water purification primarily for desalination and softening. CE 300 enables these processes to be demonstrated with the aid of cation and anion exchangers.
- softening and desalination of water by ion exchange
- regeneration of ion exchangers
- cation and anion exchanger
- verification of the theoretically calculated regeneration time
- continuous measurement of conductivity and flow rate
2. Purification, transformation, transport
Purification of H2 for transport and end use, gas separation for transformation processes
Drying by adsorption is an important step in the purification of hydrogen from electrolysis in order to prevent humidity damage in downstream processes.
CE 540 Adsorptive air drying
Using humid air, CE 540 demonstrates the drying of gases by means of adsorption.
- continuous process with regeneration of adsorbent
- transparent columns and adsorbent with indicator to observe the mass transfer zone
» further information
In hydrogen technology, pressure swing adsorption is used not only for the purification of hydrogen, but also for the extraction of nitrogen for ammonia synthesis as a transformation process.
CE 545 N2 - Pressure swing adsorption PSA
CE 545 uses the principle of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) to produce nitrogen from air.
- process stages of pressure swing adsorption: adsorption, breakthrough, desorption, regeneration
- two alternating fixed-bed columns for parallel adsorption and regeneration
» further information
Membrane separation processes are also used for the purification of hydrogen and for the production of nitrogen through gas separation. The nitrogen is used to transform hydrogen into e‑ammonia as a hydrogen derivative.
CE 550 N2 - Membrane separation process
According to the principle of selective permeation CE 550 demonstrates gas separation with hollow fibre membranes.
- producing nitrogen from air
- low-maintenance process
- industrial membrane module
- SEPURAN® N2 hollow fibre membranes
» further information
Compression and transport in pipes
MT 220 Assembly station: Gas booster in hydrogen technology
The MT 220 assembly station contains an industrial gas booster from the field of hydrogen technology, which is installed in a pipe section with various valves and fittings. Students install the pipework themselves according to the specifications. Compressed air is used as the drive and operating fluid for the experiments.
- practical installation of pipes and valves and fittings in hydrogen technology
- single-stage gas booster with pneumatic drive
- real leak test and maintenance work
» further information
MT 141 Assembly exercise: piston compressor with MT 142 test device
- assembly and disassembly of a piston compressor
- principle of operation and testing process
» further information
CE 810 Gas booster in hydrogen technology
- principle of operation of a single-stage piston compressor with pneumatic drive
- industrial high-pressure equipment
» further information
CE 815 Components and fittings in hydrogen technology
3. End use
Hydrogen consumption by PEM fuel cells
Fuel cells are energy converters that, unlike heat engines, convert chemical energy directly into electrical energy. Thermal energy is produced as a by-product of this process.
At the anode, hydrogen is split into protons and electrons:
2H2 → 4H+ + 4e−
The protons migrate through the membrane to the cathode, while the electrons are conducted through the external circuit, generating electrical energy. At the cathode, protons, electrons, and oxygen react to form water:
O2 + 4H+ + 4e− → 2H2O
Overall reaction of the PEM fuel cell:
2H2 + O2 → 2H2O + electrical energy + thermal energy
ET 292 Fuel cell system
The main component of ET 292 is a polymer-membrane fuel cell with a stack of 30 cells which is operated in combined heat and power generation. The system is supplied with high-purity hydrogen from a compressed gas tank on the anode side and with oxygen from the ambient air on the cathode side. The fuel cell is operated either current-regulated or power-regulated via an integrated electronic load.
- function and design of a fuel cell system
- relationships of fuel cell operating parameters
- effects on the electrical performance of fuel cells
- recording and visualisation of all relevant voltage/current characteristics
- calculation of relevant variables
» further information
ET 278 Principles of the H2 circuit (PEM)
ET 278 demonstrates hydrogen production and conversion back into electrical energy.
- PEM fuel cell and halogen lamp for direct hydrogen consumption
- complete hydrogen cycle
- recording of electrical power, volumetric flow rate, pressure with energy balance
- plant control via integrated PLC with touch screen
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