Munich, May 31, 2023 — SIQENS, a pioneer in the field of green hydrogen economy, and the Landshut University of Applied Sciences are planning a cooperation. A “Letter of Intent” was recently submitted to HAW Landshut for this purpose. The aim is to set up a demonstration plant for electrochemical hydrogen separation (EHS) from biogas.

A complete demonstration system based on EHS technology from Munich-based SIQENS GmbH is to be set up in the Energy Technology Center at Landshut University of Applied Sciences. SIQENS has already demonstrated the successful electrochemical hydrogen separation using this technical solution – among other things, this is obtained from natural gas. Hydrogen is now also to be produced from biogas.

The core element of the SIQENS EHS technology is the SIQENS HT-PEM stack, a high- temperature polymer membrane that already works as standard in the SIQENS Ecoport fuel cells to generate electricity. The “stack” has been in commercial use for more than five years and has proven itself in different environments. If the “stack” is operated without atmospheric oxygen, it offers the solution for separating and purifying hydrogen in gas streams.

Energy-efficient and scalable hydrogen separation and purification

A specially developed catalyst on the electrolyte membrane of the individual cells identifies hydrogen molecules in the hydrogen-containing biogas. By applying a small amount of current, the hydrogen molecules are split into individual hydrogen protons and free electrons. The membrane is constructed in such a way that it only lets hydrogen protons through, which combine again to form hydrogen molecules on the back. The process delivers high-purity hydrogen (99.99%) that can be used in the chemical industry, in grid decarbonization projects or in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Biogases are valuable for the hydrogen economy

“We look forward to working with SIQENS and are very confident that with this project we will use the great potential of biogas as a valuable raw material for the hydrogen economy. At the Energy Technology Center (TZE), Prof. Dr. Raimund Brotsack has exceptional expertise in bio-hydrogen,” says Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Pettinger from the Landshut University of Applied Sciences. Dr Thomas Klaue, CEO of SIQENS, adds “there is nothing to prevent our technology, which is used to produce hydrogen from natural gas, from working with biogas as well”.

At the end of this development, a network of small hydrogen plants could emerge that would make hydrogen available almost everywhere in a decentralized manner. The existing natural gas network could be used as a transport and storage medium. Downstream and midstream extraction of hydrogen via ETS has the potential to increase the decarbonization effects of the grid.

About the Landshut University of Applied Sciences

Landshut University of Applied Sciences stands for excellent teaching, further education and applied research. The six faculties of business administration, electrical engineering and industrial engineering, computer science, interdisciplinary studies, mechanical engineering and social work offer over 50 courses. The offer is clearly geared to current and future requirements of the labor market. The approximately 4,600 students benefit from the practical relevance of the teaching, the individual support and the modern technical equipment. The university offers a wide range of project topics for research institutions and companies, which are supervised and implemented by scientific specialists with the best know-how. Around 120 professors perform tasks in teaching and research.

About SIQENS

SIQENS, founded in Munich in 2012, develops and produces methanol fuel cells. The devices are used for the emergency power supply of critical infrastructure and in places without a fixed connection to the power grid. The SIQENS Ecoport fuel cell system is operated with liquid, readily available methanol. Hydrogen is obtained from the methanol in the Ecoport. This reacts with oxygen in the SIQENS stack and generates electrical energy. An autonomous, reliable power source – the Ecocabinet – is offered in combination with a battery, which the Ecoport automatically recharges when required. In contrast to diesel generators, fuel cells are economical, require little maintenance and emit neither fine dust nor nitrogen oxides and significantly reduced CO2 emissions. Methanol from regenerative sources enables completely climate-neutral operation. SIQENS is now also using this technology in the hydrogen economy. The SIQENS stack is able to produce high-purity hydrogen from almost any gas.