Ultra-fast green hydrogen production from municipal wastewater by an integrated forward osmosis-alkaline water electrolysis system

Gabriela Scheibel Cassol, Chii Shang, Alicia Kyoungjin An, Noman Khalid Khanzada, Francesco Ciucci, Alessandro Manzotti, Paul Westerhoff, Yinghao Song () and Li Ling ()
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Gabriela Scheibel Cassol: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Chii Shang: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Alicia Kyoungjin An: City University of Hong Kong
Noman Khalid Khanzada: City University of Hong Kong
Francesco Ciucci: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Alessandro Manzotti: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Paul Westerhoff: Arizona State University
Yinghao Song: The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Li Ling: Beijing Normal University

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-10

Abstract: Abstract Recent advancements in membrane-assisted seawater electrolysis powered by renewable energy offer a sustainable path to green hydrogen production. However, its large-scale implementation faces challenges due to slow power-to-hydrogen (P2H) conversion rates. Here we report a modular forward osmosis-water splitting (FOWS) system that integrates a thin-film composite FO membrane for water extraction with alkaline water electrolysis (AWE), denoted as FOWSAWE. This system generates high-purity hydrogen directly from wastewater at a rate of 448 Nm3 day−1 m−2 of membrane area, over 14 times faster than the state-of-the-art practice, with specific energy consumption as low as 3.96 kWh Nm−3. The rapid hydrogen production rate results from the utilisation of 1 M potassium hydroxide as a draw solution to extract water from wastewater, and as the electrolyte of AWE to split water and produce hydrogen. The current system enables this through the use of a potassium hydroxide-tolerant and hydrophilic FO membrane. The established water-hydrogen balance model can be applied to design modular FO and AWE units to meet demands at various scales, from households to cities, and from different water sources. The FOWSAWE system is a sustainable and an economical approach for producing hydrogen at a record-high rate directly from wastewater, marking a significant leap in P2H practice.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-46964-8

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