UPC Hydrogen Lab
(Phase 1)
The laboratory is designed to provide technical support and durability testing to industry, develop new technologies through novel research in the area of hydrogen, and provide an H2 technology showcase for industry and the academic world.
The hydrogen and electricity obtained in the laboratory is local, sustainably and modular. The lab will have its own micro-grid for optimization of hydrogen and electricity consumption and production.
>13 kW of solar panels
6kg H2/day of hydrogen production
18 kg of hydrogen storage up to 300 bar for laboratory needs
5 kW fuel cell for laboratory microgrid
Laboratory Infrastructure
4 system level test stations up to 10kW each
Fuel cells, electrolyzers, biogas reformers, compressors and metal hydrides
4 component level test stations
Membrane, flow field, catalyst & auxiliary system components
3 table top test benches for H2 technologies
Passive H2 recirculation, Super critical flow and button cell catalyst testing
3m x 3m environmental chamber for testing automotive systems with peak power up to 100kW
from -20º C to 70ºC, with humidity control
Roof top H2 production Plant
Modular electrolyser configuration, H2 compressor and filtration, Compressed H2 storage, Modular fuel cell design
Lab Monitoring and Optimization
H2 living lab:
Searchable online database for monitoring of the green H2 production plant.
Customizable dashboard for control and data monitoring.
Customization of hydrogen production plant. Optimization of: Pilot plant efficiency; hydrogen production cost, durability of components, electrolyzer hours of operation, number of cycles.
The research lines to be carried out in the laboratory will be production, compression and transport, storage and use of hydrogen. The project is currently in its first phase.
The hydrogen lab of the UPC is located on the third floor of the C building of the Campus Diagonal Besòs, in a 340 m2 laboratory space and 200m2 roof top H2 production plant.
Write to cerh2@upc.edu if you want to visit the facilities.