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The Membrane Society of Korea (한국막학회)
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A Research Trend on Diaphragm Membranes Alkaline Water Electrolysis System

알칼리 수전해용 격리막 기술 연구동향

  • Im, Kwang Seop (Department of materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Son, Tae Yang (Research Institute for Green Energy Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Jeong, Ha Neul (Department of materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Kwon, Dong Jun (Research Institute for Green Energy Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University) ;
  • Nam, Sang Yong (Department of materials Engineering and Convergence Technology, Gyeongsang National University)
  • 임광섭 (경상국립대학교 나노신소재융합공학과) ;
  • 손태양 (경상국립대학교 그린에너지융합연구소) ;
  • 정하늘 (경상국립대학교 나노신소재융합공학과) ;
  • 권동준 (경상국립대학교 그린에너지융합연구소) ;
  • 남상용 (경상국립대학교 나노신소재융합공학과)
  • Received : 2021.04.22
  • Accepted : 2021.04.28
  • Published : 2021.04.30
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Abstract

Alkaline water electrolysis system is the oldest technology among various hydrogen production processes to produce green hydrogen with the least amount of greenhouse gas generated. Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) system is used in alkaline atmosphere condition. In comparison to polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE), this system can utilize stable transition metals such as nickel, cobalt, and silver, as electrode catalysts. AWE is relatively inexpensive, and can easily be scaled up to large scale. The system is a mature technology, as it has been in operation since the beginning of the 20th century in MW-scale for hydrogen generation, and there are currently more than 20 commercial manufacturers. In this review, the basic principles of AWE, along with catalysts, electrodes, and diaphragm membranes, are summarized. Particularly, the research and development trends of the diaphragm membrane unit, which is the core component of an AWE, are discussed in detail.

알칼리 수전해 시스템은 다양한 수소 생산 공정 중에서 가장 온실가스 발생량이 적은 그린 수소를 생산하는 방식 중 가장 오래된 기술이다. 알칼리 수전해 시스템은 알칼리 조건에서 사용되며, 고분자 전해질막 수전해와는 다르게 니켈, 코발트, 은 등의 안정한 전이금속을 전극촉매로 사용할 수 있다. 이 시스템은 가격이 저렴하고 대용량화가 용이하다는 장점을 가지고 있다. 이러한 장점으로 알칼리 수전해 시스템은 20세기 초부터 MW급 수소발생장치에 적용되어 왔으며 현재 20여 개의 제조업체에서 상용제품을 판매하고 있는 안정화된 기술이다. 본 논문에서는 알칼라인 수전해의 기본원리 및 사용되는 촉매, 전극, 격막 등에 대해 알아보고 그 중 핵심소재인 격막의 연구개발 동향에 대해 살펴보고자 한다.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구는 교육부(한국연구재단)의 지자체-대학 협력기반 지역혁신사업(경상남도 지역혁신플랫폼 스마트제조엔지니어링)과 2021년도 정부(교육부)의 재원으로 한국연구재단의 지원을 받아 수행된 기초연구사업임(과제번호: NRF-2020R1A6A1A03038697).

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