Game changing process to create green hydrogen from seawater

April 8th 2022

Torvex Energy has worked closely with the Material Processing Institute to validate an innovative and “game changing” method of generating environmentally-friendly hydrogen from seawater that does not produce oxygen gas.

The independent Stockton-on-Tees research and development company has patents pending on its unique electrochemical process and has collaborated with the Institute to establish proof of concept.

Backed by an angel investor, Torvex Energy has spent several years refining the process to ensure it generates green hydrogen of the highest purity and output.

It is now seeking partners and is meeting with interested parties to progress from pilot project to commercial production.

The simple and sustainable process is in sharp contrast to traditional electrolysis methods that result in toxic by-products, require a costly desalination process and result in rapid equipment corrosion – all of which have proved a significant barrier to increasing global hydrogen production.

Torvex Energy, which has more than 30 years’ experience in marine and chemical engineering, recognised the huge potential to revolutionise the efficiency and sustainability of green hydrogen production.

It has collaborated with the Teesside-based Materials Processing Institute to successfully demonstrate and validate the feasibility of the process.

Rob Hutchinson, a Director of Torvex Energy, said: “Seventy per cent of the earth’s surface is seawater, and our team has created an efficient and scalable means of generating hydrogen directly from this abundant natural resource.

“We are confident in the commercialisation opportunities for this breakthrough process and are ready to work with like-minded partners to take this exciting technology to the next stage.

“This could significantly accelerate the hydrogen economy, which is key to meeting the UK’s 2050 net zero pledge.”

Dr Richard Birley, Principal Researcher at the Materials Processing Institute’s Industrial Decarbonisation Group, said: “This could be a game changer for the large-scale competitive production of green hydrogen. The Institute is already playing a key role to develop hydrogen as a low-emission and sustainable energy source, and we are delighted to support this exciting development in green hydrogen.”