Transcript Document

High Rate - High Efficiency Water
Electrolysis using 3D Isotropic
nanoCatalysts coatings for clean
energy solutions
Robert Dopp
DoppStein Enterprises / GridShift, Inc.
Presentation to:
U.S. Department of Energy
Washington, DC 20585
October 14, 2010
GS
770 649 1933
[email protected]
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Outline



Introduction – Robert Dopp and Gridshift
Introduction – On Demand & Stationary Power supply- Clean &
sustainable energy systems.
GridShift nanoCatalysts producing up to 80% energy efficient,
cost-effective, full demo cells
 Bipolar electrolysis with nanoCatalyst -coated flat plates for
Bipolar Systems - Rate <350 mA/cm2

Monopolar electrolysis using 3D nanoCatalyst electrodes for
Monopolar Systems -Rates >=1 Amp/cm2

GridShift Alkaline Fuel Cell Projections

GridShift Hydrogen Flow Cell

Next Steps
GS
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2
Introducing Robert Dopp

Robert Dopp is well known in the Zinc Air and battery world with over
30 years experience.
“Principle Engineer” at Rayovac Corp. on the Zinc Air project - 18 Years
“Director of Research” at Electric Fuel of Biet Shemesh Israel - 6 years
CEO DoppStein Enterprises (DSE) - 9 years
CEO Gridshift Inc. (GS) - 2 years

Proficiency includes Batteries, Fuel Cells and Hydrogen generation
from water electrolysis.
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39 Issued patents and 16 in the office in energy related fields

Consults to Fuel Cell, Battery and Materials companies.

Offers a depth of knowledge in battery systems with freedom &
flexibility from his independent laboratory.

Developed a very high rate and high efficiency electrolyzer.

GS
Developed the highest rate air cathode in the world.
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Introducing Gridshift (GS)
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Founded in December 2008

Funded by Khosla Ventures

Development began in 2007 as an
Electrochemical Fluidized Bed Reactor (FBR) for
water electrolysis
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Physical challenges with an FBR, so GS
developed a “Solid-State FBR”
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Project met milestones on time and under budget

Vinod on Board of Directors and supportive
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Why H2 Production Systems?
Benefits:
(1) Small distributed electrolyzers (On demand, Automotive)
(2) Stationary large-scale electrolyzers
(3) Potential synergies with renewable energy power
generating systems (wind, nuclear)
(4) No greenhouse gas emissions
(5) GS H2 Production Cost
Challenges:
(1) Auto - Safety
(2) Auto- NOx increase output with increased Temp
(3) DOE Cost goal $2.00-$3.00/gge
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GS NanoCatalysis Coatings

Proprietary multiple nanoparticle recipe/method
using complex pulse-shaped coating/plating
operation designed by GS.
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Isotropic, distribution of ‘bezel-mounted nanocabochons’ with uniform 2D/3D surface
coverage.

Excellent electrical contract from the current
collector to the nanoCatalyst.
GS
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GS NanoCatalysis 3D Coating of
Foam Electrodes
Ni FOAM
GS NanoCatalysts –coated FOAM
Isotropic, fully functional 3D electrodes
Enhanced current conduction for optimized
electrolysis
GS
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Two-Cell Electrolyzer Parts
Au
GS
Isotropically GS nanoCatalyst 770 649 1933 coated electrodes
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8
Two-Cell Electrolyzer Assembled
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Half Cell - Voltammogram
Voltammogram Curve
4.0
3.5
3.0
SS
316
Smooth Ni
Anode or Oxygen Generating
Reaction
#119
Decacoat,
Tri catalyst,
Voltage vs. Zinc
2.5
2.0
1.5
Current Density is Proportional
to Gas Output
1.0
0.5
0.0
-0.5
-1.0
Tri catalyst,
Decacoat
#121
Cathode or Hydrogen Generating
Reaction
-1.5
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
Current, Amps/cm^2
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Flat-Plates Cell Voltage - FULL CELL
Full Cell Voltage of Bifunctional Plates
4.0
SS316
3.5
GridShift 3D Electrode
3.0
Cell Voltage
GS 3D nanoCatalyst
•High-Rate
•Low Power
•High Efficiency
Best Reported at NHA
2.5
•Used for on
Demand Electrolysis
•Or large stationary
Electrolysis
2.0
1.5
1.0
Lower Full-Cell voltage is desired
0.5
0.0
0.0
GS
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
Current Density, A/cm2
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Energy Efficiency - Bipolar Electrolysis
Energy Efficiency of Bifunctional Flat Plates
120%
Higher Energy Efficiency is desired
100%
Energy Efficiency
80%
60%
40%
GridShift 3D Electrode
Best Reported at NHA
20%
SS316
0%
0.0
GS
0.1
0.2
0.3
0.4
0.5
0.6
0.7
0.8
0.9
1.0
Current Density, A/cm2
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H2 Output for Flat Plates- GS High-Rate
H2 Output Assuming 14 V, 225 cm2 for On
3.00
Gridshift 3D
Any electrolyzer can reach high efficiency.
The rate at which the number is reach is the key.
2.50 Gridshift produces more hydrogen for any Efficiency
2.75
GE Best
SS316
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
2
H Production, Liters/min
2.25
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00
40%
45%
50%
55%
60%
65%
70%
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
Energy Efficiency
GS
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H2 Output for Flat Plates- GS High-Rate
H2 Output Assuming 14 V, 225 cm2 for On
3.00
2.75
2.50
Any electrolyzer can run at low voltage.
The rate at which the number is reached is the key.
Gridshift produces more hydrogen at any voltage due
to higher current at any voltage.
Gridshift 3D
GE Best
H2 Production, Liters/min
2.25
SS316
2.00
1.75
1.50
1.25
1.00
0.75
0.50
0.25
0.00
1.5
1.7
1.9
2.1
2.3
2.5
2.7
2.9
3.1
3.3
3.5
Cell Voltage
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Half- Cell 3D Electrode Voltammogram
Voltammogram Curve
Half-Cell Data
4.0
Smooth Ni
SS
316
3.5
Anode Reaction
Oxygen Generation
3.0
Gridshift
Triple nano
Coating
Gr aphite
Voltage vs. Zinc
2.5
2.0
1.5
1.0
120% EE
Ideal Ce ll Voltage
gives Energy Efficiency = 1.482/V
85% EE
Gridshift 3D Coated
Electrode
0.5
0.0
-0.5
-1.0
Cathode Reaction
Hydrogen Generation
Gr aphite
SS
316
Gridshift
Triple nano
Coating
Smooth Ni
-1.5
0.0001
0.001
0.01
0.1
1
10
Current, Amps/cm^2
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Energy Efficiency vs.. Rate for GS 3D
nanoCatalyst coated foams – FULL CELL
Energy Efficiency in Full Cell Electrolyzer
Energy Efficiency, %
100%
Keyed to 1000 mA/cm2
90%
GridShift 3D 70C
80%
Raney Nickel 70C
70%
Ni Foam 70C
60%
50%
40%
Raney Nickel
30%
20%
Want highest number at highest current density
10%
0%
0
GS
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Current Density, mA/cm^2
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Energy Efficiency vs.. Rate for GS 3D
nanoCatalyst coated foams – FULL CELL
Cell Voltage in Full Cell Electrolyzers
7
Keyed to 1000 mA/cm2
6
Ni Foam 70C
Raney Nickel
Raney Nickel 70C
Full Cell Voltage
5
GridShift 3D 70C
4
3
2
Want the lowest voltage
at the highest current
1
0
0
GS
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
3000
3500
4000
Current Density, mA/cm^2
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H2 Output for GS nanoCatalyst-coated 3D
Foam Electrodes- FULL CELL
H2 Output per kWh
0.7
0.6
0.5
kg H 2 per Hour
3D Foam
Ni Blank
GridShift
nano-Coated
3D Electrodes
100 cm2
240 VAC (170 VDC)
7K
6K
5K
0.4
Rainey Nickel
4K
0.3
3K
Liters H2 per Hour
Conditions
70 Deg C
0.2
2K
0.1
1K
0.0
0
GS
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
180
200
kWh/kg Hydrogen
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Mass Balance
(All current leading to electrolysis. No ionic shunting)
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1000 Hour Test
Cell Voltages on 500 mA/cm2 at 90 oC
90%
80%
Cell Energy Efficiency
70%
60%
50%
40%
There is an initial degradation over the first 200 hours
Then there is no further degradation and perhaps some recovery
No significant sloughing was observed
The cobalt solubility color was only observed in initial use of the
electrodes, but not in this re-use of the electrodes
30%
20%
10%
0%
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Time, Hours
GS
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Applications for Water Electrolyzers


Charging stations in homes for hydrogen powers vehicles
Hydrogen generators at filling stations for hydrogen vehicles
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Synfuel Production
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CO + H2
Hydrolyze light bio-fuels into more useful fuels
Methane fuel production
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May be solar powered
Cobalt and Iron catalyzed H2 + Cellulose --> Methane
Ammonia via the Haber-Bosch method for fertilizers
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Iron oxide catalyzed 3H2 + N2 --> 2NH3
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Combine with solar, wind or geothermal for many of above.
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Improved ICE efficiency
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Improved diffusivity, higher Octane #, can use higher compression,
faster flame-front speed, increases lean limit, etc.
GS
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21
High Rate Alkaline Fuel Cell- AFC
Power of two Fuel Cell systems
800
700
GridShift Increased Power
mW/cm2
Power,
600
500
400
Existing AFC Systems
300
PEM Systems
200
100
0
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
900
1000
Current Density,
GS
mA/cm 2
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Hydrogen Flow Cell
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
Using the GS high rate Electrolyzer, H2 and O2 are
produced during peak times:

When the sun shines
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When the wind blows
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When power is cheap
Using the new GS AFC, stored gasses produce electricity:

When the sun does not shine

When the wind is calm

When power is expensive
GS
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CONCLUSIONS

Coating the interior surfaces of a complex shaped current collector
with GS 3 D nanoCatalysts results in a very high rate - high
efficiency electrolysis cell with a very low potential capital Cost.

The GridShift 3D nanoCatalyst-coated full cell demonstrated up to
80% efficiency, is cost effective and reliably productive.

Efficiency results may be optimized.

Mass balance demonstrates data is accurate with no ionic shunting.

Alkaline Fuel Cell is logical extension of work

Hydrogen flow cell results when Fuel Cell is complete.
GS
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24
Contact Information
Robert Dopp & Sharon Stein
GS

Office: 770 649 1933

Bob’s (CEO) Mobile:

Sharon’s (CFO) Mobile: 404 626 9008

[email protected]

www.grid-shift.com

Share folder: www.grid-shift.com/doe
770 649 1933
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770 355 2213
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