Hydrogen can be found abundantly in the earth and in the universe but in the nature hydrogen cannot be found as pure. Then we should produce it by the various methods such as water electrolysis, natural gas reformation by steam methane reforming (SMR), partial oxidation of hydrocarbons (POX) and etc. Now a day, production of hydrogen in the world  is exclusively based on fossil fuels and produced hydrogen through the world is obtained about 50% from natural gas reforming method (SMR) and the rest of hydrogen from; oil (30%), coal (18%) and 4% by water electrolysis. Considering the uses of hydrogen in the near future, hydrogen can be a considerable effect on the energy economy. Urgent need to hydrogen production requires that we select the best method in the point of technical, economic and environmental issues.

Main approach of "hydrogen production technologies group" are studying, recognizing and evaluation of different types of production technologies and explanation of  suitable technologies in the process of hydrogen energy development in the country (Considering the national document of fuel cell development) as well as implementation of R&D projects with the aim to achieve their technical know-how in the country.

This group, from the beginning of Hydrogen and Fuel cell Department, comprising of experienced expert in Chemical Eng., Process Eng., Mechanical Eng., and Applied Chemistry, carried out the several activities, which some of them mentioned below:

• Evaluation studies in various hydrogen production technologies

• Evaluation studies in the field of solar hydrogen technology (water electrolysis)

 • Technical investigation of hydrogen production cycles and selection of UT-3 cycle to fabricating a lab-scale unit

• Conceptual design of 5kW alkaline water electrolysis system

• Conceptual design of 175kW alkaline water electrolysis system

• Procurement, installation, commissioning and utilization of alkaline water electrolysis system with production rate of 40Nm³/hr hydrogen and 200 kW power consumption

• Procurement, installation, commissioning and utilization of alkaline water electrolysis system with production rate of 1 Nm³/hr hydrogen and 5 kW power consumption

• Procurement, installation, commissioning and utilization of alkaline water electrolysis system with production rate of 30Nm³/hr hydrogen

• Investigation of natural gas reforming technology (SMR)

 

• Procurement, installation and commissioning of a natural gas reformer system with production rate of 5Nm³/hr hydrogen

• Utilization of 200 kW water electrolysis system in Taleghan site to feed the hydrogen cylinder filling unite

• Design and fabrication of micro-channel reformer for on-board production of hydrogen (according to national development strategy document actions fuel cell technology)

• Design and fabrication of natural gas reformer domestic and commercial sector applications (according to national development strategy document actions fuel cell technology)

• Studying about Hythan synthetic fuel (mixture of hydrogen and natural gas)