AFC Energy has partnered with Akzo Nobel, a major international chemicals giant, and the fourth largest chlor-alkali producer in Europe.
This reflects our strategy to market, by bringing the fuel cell to the hydrogen.
Within 2 years, Akzo Nobel is expected to make large sums of money from the conversion of waste hydrogen into electrical power into the national grid.
Knut Schwalenberg, General Manager Chlor-Alkali of Akzo Nobel stated: “The Chlor-Alkali industry is energy intensive, so improving energy efficiency is a top priority to keep the processes sustainable. Huge amounts of hydrogen are produced in the electrolysis process as by-product of chlorine and caustic lye. The immediate conversion of this hydrogen into electricity, based on locally installed fuel cells, and the use of this electricity back in the electrolysis process would create an ideal loop. Akzo Nobel regards the technology of AFC Energy as promising and we are looking forward to the results of the cooperation.”
Akzo Nobel will test AFC Energy’s low cost hydrogen fuel cell technology at its Bitterfeld site in Germany to generate clean energy from the substantial quantity of hydrogen that is currently produced as by-product at chlorine production plants. The economic feasibility of larger units to convert hydrogen from an electrolysis process to electricity and useful heat will be evaluated.
The amounts of available waste hydrogen in the global chlor-alkali industry could support in excess of 3,000 MW per annum of generating capacity, representing a potential market of £1 billion.
The Future
AFC Energy aims to enter into more joint ventures internationally to develop and manufacture electrodes and systems, to achieve further market penetration and after sales support. The supply of replacement electrodes is likely to become a significant source of revenue.