Device and Method for Releasing Chemically Bound Hydrogen in the Form of Pressurized Hydrogen Gas, as well as Facility and Hydrogen Refueling Station with Such a Device

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This patent discloses an apparatus and method for efficiently releasing chemically bound hydrogen from organic carrier media as high-purity, high-pressure hydrogen gas, particularly for use at hydrogen filling stations. The system combines the dehydrogenation (release of H2) and compression steps into one electrochemical process, without requiring a separate mechanical gas compressor. The design leverages a proton-conducting membrane and specially catalyzed electrodes, enabling direct conversion of hydrogen-rich organic compounds (like 2-propanol or LOHCs) into pressurized, pure hydrogen suitable for refueling or industrial processes.

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• Hydrogen refueling stations for vehicles, trains, or ships, where on-site high-pressure hydrogen generation and dispensing is required.
• Industrial hydrogen supply for chemical synthesis needing high-purity, high-pressure hydrogen (e.g., hydrotreating, hydrogenation processes).
• On-site hydrogen production in remote areas or decentralized energy systems, leveraging safe, easy-to-transport liquid organic hydrogen carriers (LOHCs).
• Mobile or modular hydrogen supply solutions for temporary or portable fuel cell operations.
• Improved infrastructure for hydrogen logistics, reducing the need for bulk transport of compressed hydrogen gas.

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• Eliminates the need for a separate, energy-intensive mechanical hydrogen compressor by combining hydrogen release and compression electrochemically, thereby simplifying system design and operation.
• Reduces total energy consumption for high-pressure hydrogen generation compared to conventional two-stage methods, leading to cost savings and improved efficiency.
• Delivers hydrogen gas of very high purity (≥99.999%), reducing the risk of contamination in sensitive applications like fuel cells and chemical processes.
• Facilitates safer and more straightforward storage and transport of hydrogen in chemically bound (LOHC) form, reducing handling hazards associated with gaseous or cryogenic hydrogen.
• Allows scalable, continuous, and on-demand hydrogen generation at desired pressure, adaptable to various applications and infrastructure sizes.

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Patent Abstract

An apparatus for releasing chemically bound hydrogen from a hydrogen carrier medium in the form of hydrogen gas under pressure comprises an anode chamber (14) for providing the at least partly laden hydrogen carrier medium (TM+), an anode (16) adjoining the anode chamber (14) and having an anode catalyst (17), a cathode (19) connected to the anode (14) via a proton-conducting membrane (18) and via a voltage source (22) and having a cathode catalyst (20), and a cathode chamber (21) adjoining the cathode (19) for receiving hydrogen gas released at the cathode (19).