Using Mass Spectrometry with Electrolyzer Technology to Help Enhance Renewable Hydrogen Production

With many developed nations moving to clean energy strategies to reduce their CO₂ emissions and reach ‘net zero’ within the next few decades, alternative energy sources to fossil fuels are being considered.

Green hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal element in the transition to sustainable energy systems. As the world seeks to reduce carbon emissions and dependence on fossil fuels, green hydrogen presents an eco-friendly alternative that can be produced using renewable energy sources. This article delves into the recent advances in green hydrogen production, highlighting key technologies, challenges, and the potential impact on global energy markets.

What is Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is a type of hydrogen fuel that is produced through a process called electrolysis, which involves splitting water (H₂O) into hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂) using electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar, or hydropower, making it carbon-free. Unlike grey and blue hydrogen, green hydrogen is sustainable and environmentally friendly. It is essential for a low-carbon economy and has various applications:

Transportation: Fuel cell vehicles emit only water vapor.
Industry: Used in chemical processes and steel production.
Power Generation: Generates electricity in fuel cells or blends with natural gas.
Energy Storage: Balances supply and demand from renewable sources.

Green hydrogen is crucial for global decarbonization goals and sustainable energy systems.

Technological Challenges and Innovations

Recent innovations in electrolyzer technology have significantly improved the efficiency and scalability of green hydrogen production; however there is a high cost associated with electrolyzer technology and renewable energy infrastructure. Additionally, the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources can affect the consistency of hydrogen production.

There is a key industry player based in the UK that was looking to meet these challenges with its novel membrane-free electrolysis and cryogenic separation processes. The company manufactures high-specification and large capacity electrolyzers — self-contained oxygen and hydrogen production systems. An important segment of the company’s market is hydrogen fuel cell manufacturers — who are tightly bound by ISO purity specifications — making it imperative to accurately and consistently measure and declare impurity levels. The company’s lead scientist explained that the gas analyzers they were using were only accurate to within ±2 %, which is insufficient for some customers’ most stringent applications. However, that measurement improved after replacing its gas analyzers with a process mass spectrometer to help gain a true measure of product purity.

Mass Spectrometry Helped Manufacturer Improve Accuracy, Meet Standards, and Streamline Testing

Mass spectrometers are sophisticated analytical instruments that identify and quantify molecules based on their mass-to-charge ratio. In hydrogen purity analysis, mass spectrometers detect and measure trace impurities within hydrogen samples. By ionizing the sample and separating the ions according to their mass-to-charge ratios, the instrument provides detailed information about the composition of the hydrogen. This helps ensure that the product meets the required purity standards for various applications, such as in fuel cells, industrial processes, and research. Accurate hydrogen purity measurement is crucial for optimizing performance and maintaining the integrity of hydrogen-based technologies.

The process mass spectrometer replaced the UK company’s multitude of incumbent gas analyzers, drastically reducing the complexity of its analytical setup. This system allowed simultaneous measurement of multiple gas species at several locations in the process, all within a single unit. The high precision of the MS instrument—thanks to its magnetic sector technology—allowed the company to confirm the purity of the hydrogen and oxygen streams to within ±0.1 %.

With the addition of the mass spectrometer to its hydrogen fuel cell operations, the UK company now can:

Confirm 99.99% hydrogen purity
Meet strict ISO standards
Streamline factory testing in a single system

(You can read the case study here.)

Economic and Environmental Impact

The economic viability of green hydrogen is closely tied to the cost of renewable energy and electrolyzer technology. As the prices of renewable energy continue to fall, green hydrogen is expected to become more competitive. Furthermore, the environmental benefits of green hydrogen are substantial. By replacing fossil fuels in sectors such as transportation, industry, and power generation, green hydrogen can significantly help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

While there are challenges to overcome, the advancements in technology and growing support for renewable energy provide a solid foundation for the widespread adoption of green hydrogen. As we move towards a low-carbon economy, green hydrogen will play a crucial role in reducing emissions and fostering environmental stewardship. And process mass spectrometers can help meet those challenges.