BIOMASS ELECTROLYSIS TEST STATION

Test station developed in collaboration with Ki Hydrogen, a UK-based deeptech start-up co-producing hydrogen and biogenic carbon from their patented method of electrolysing waste biomass.

KI HYDROGEN

Electrolyser Test Rig Instrumentation Control SSR Engineering

SSR Engineering supported Ki Hydrogen's scale-up from lab-scale to 10L and 100L reactor systems, capable of producing up to 1kg/day of hydrogen.

Evaluating material and instrument compatibility with the electrolyte media under test conditions
Instrumentation assembly in a ventilated enclosure
Development of an automated control system with custom software - enabling precise control, safety interlocks and flexible instrument swapping for R&D use
Adaptable across different reactor sizes while supporting continuous technology development

WORK BY SSR ENGINEERING

13A single-phase supply for instrumentation, integrated sensors (flowmeters, gas purity, temperature etc.) and data acquisition
Additional 32A single-phase supply for main instruments with E-STOP and software-controlled contactor
Individual power switches for instruments
150A contactor for PSU-to-electrolyser stack emergency disconnect

ELECTRICAL

Modbus TCP/IP communication to standalone computer
RS232 over Ethernet for gas analysers
Custom automation software with configurable alarm limits
Automatic E-STOP and depressurisation by physical button, software or limit violations
Remote E-STOP capability, data logging and error tracking

CONTROL + AUTOMATION

TEST STATION SPECS.

SENSORS

8x thermocouple inputs
30x cell voltage monitoring
H2, CO and CO2 gas purity sensors
H2 and CO2 mass flowmeters
PWM pump control (electrolyte, condenser, dosing) with inline flowmeter feedback
Optional: pressure sensors and electrolyte tank level sensors.

INSTRUMENTATION

Temperature-controlled reactor heater with stirrer
Dual electrolyte stream pumps
Client-specified programmable PSU
Additional digital I/O channels for alarms and instrumentation expansion

PHYSICAL

Wall-mountable enclosure (~70x50x25cm) with key-locked panel door
Front panel LED status
Mounting eyelets for secure installation

PROCESS CONTROL

All wetted materials tested for electrolyte compatibility under operating conditions
Research-driven instrumentation choices based on electrolyte interactions

CLIENT UTILISATION

The test station has been successfully operated alongside a 1 kg/day hydrogen electrolyser stack (developed in partnership with SSR Engineering), validating Ki Hydrogen's scale-up approach.

The flexible design enables component swaps and instrumentation upgrades as Ki Hydrogen continues advancing their technology and optimising processes.

KI HYDROGEN TECHNOLOGY OVERVIEW

Ki Hydrogen has developed an innovative biomass electrolysis technology that converts waste biomass feedstock into hydrogen and biogenic carbon.

With an estimated 10 billion tonnes of available lignocellulosic biomass (from agriculture, forestry and industrial waste) that would otherwise decompose, this process provides a cost-effective route to hydrogen production.

Unlike conventional water electrolysis, biomass electrolysis requires 50% less energy, targeting hydrogen production at $2/kg and biogenic CO2 at $100/tonne with an energy consumption of 25 kWh/kgH2.

Following successful lab-scale validation, Ki Hydrogen is now proving the technology at practical reactor sizes.

Ki Hydrogen- Hydrogen and Biogenic Carbon Production through Biomass Electrolysis

BIO FOR KI H2

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