The InnovationCenter INM supports the institute’s Research Units at every stage of technology transfer. This includes scaling up and performance validation of new materials, building prototypes to showcase application-oriented results at industry trade fairs, and networking with potential industry partners. Technology transfer agents at the InnovationCenter INM work closely with researchers to develop technology-specific transfer strategies, ensuring that innovations are translated efficiently and effectively into industrial applications.
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Projects funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF)
SEPO4E – Optimizing Separators for Electrolysis
Water electrolysis for the production of green hydrogen faces significant challenges associated with the inefficient separation of the liquid and gaseous phases. Current gas–water separation technologies used in separator tanks are limited by the presence of microscopic gas bubbles that are difficult to remove. These bubbles reduce heat transfer efficiency and increase the risk of corrosion, thereby negatively affecting both the performance and the operational lifetime of electrolyzers.
The SEPO4E project aims to optimize gas–water separation in water electrolysis by developing advanced degassing elements, with a particular focus on the materials used in these components. The elements will be integrated into separator tanks and will employ coalescence mechanisms to combine fine gas bubbles into larger bubbles that can be separated more effectively. In addition, the fluid-dynamic design of the tanks will be optimized to further improve separation efficiency.
The primary objective of the project is to reduce separator tank volumes by more than 50% compared with the current state of the art through the use of novel materials for the degassing elements. This approach is expected to lower material costs and reduce the risk of explosive hydrogen–oxygen reactions. At the same time, improved separation performance is intended to decrease corrosion potential, enhance cooling capacity, and extend the operational lifetime of electrolyzers, thereby providing substantial economic benefits.
The project “SEPO4E – Separator Optimization for Electrolysis” is funded by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Further information on funding provided by the European Union and the ERDF is available here:
