Agfa-Gevaert and VITO launch Zirfon® Perl membranes for large-scale production of hydrogen
Perfect match between VITO membrane expertise and Agfa’s coating technology
Combine Agfa-Gevaert's experience in the coating of films with VITO's knowledge of membrane technology, and as a result you get a membrane with so far unimaginable possibilities. A first application is electrolysis, a process that is used for the production of hydrogen. But this is only the beginning of a string of future applications. Or to put it better: applications for the future!
New process for hydrogen production
Hydrogen has for many years been regarded as a potential energy carrier and as an energy storage medium. This so-called hydrogen economy is influenced by the increasing prices of natural gas, and the need to store sustainable energy in the areas where it is generated and is not (immediately) used. Today, hydrogen gas is already being used on a large industrial scale in the production of electricity, in the food industry and in the metal industry. Hydrogen gas is normally produced from petroleum products. Electrolysis of water - with hydrogen and oxygen as the end products - is an alternative, clean and sustainable technology, which provides hydrogen with a higher purity. The relatively high energy requirement (and thus the high cost) of this electrolysis process has so far prevented this technology being used in the large-scale production of hydrogen.
Zirfon® Perl, separator with a future
VITO and Agfa-Gevaert have over the past year jointly developed a new electrolysis membrane (separator) and increased production. This separator is particularly suitable for the electrolysis process used in the production of hydrogen gas. The membrane, named Zirfon® Perl, is stronger and more energy efficient than the alternatives currently available on the market. An additional but no less important advantage is that the membrane is asbestos free.
The use of Zirfon® Perl separator membranes leads to an improvement in the electrolytic production process for hydrogen gas. This process is made even more attractive as a result of the increasing petroleum and energy prices, especially when the stream required for the electrolysis process is obtained from renewable sources. With regard to sustainability, petroleum derivatives cannot be maintained.
Strategic collaboration between Agfa-Gevaert and VITO
The Zirfon® Perl separator membranes are the first result of a wide strategic collaboration between Agfa-Gevaert and VITO. This collaboration complements completely the many years of experience that Agfa-Gevaert has in the area of industrial coating processes and product development, with the extensive knowledge of VITO in the area of polymer membranes and their various applications.
In the future, the partners will also collaborate on directing these developments towards other growth markets. In addition to the applications for hydrogen production, membranes for water purification (bioreactors), bio-ethanol production and other applications will also be developed.
VITO, technology for ecology and economy
VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research) is a leading European, independent research and advice centre, that develops sustainable technologies in the area of energy, environment, materials and remote sensing.
VITO provides intelligent and qualitative solutions which give large and small companies a competitive advantage, and objective research, studies and advice which industry and authorities use to determine their future policy. VITO’s research is being applied in new, efficient and cheaper production technologies, reduced energy consumption, biomaterials, health care, environmental protection etc., as well as in recording and monitoring of the effects of climate change. VITO counts about 500 highly-qualified employees from various specialties, and collaborates with sector federations and their research centres, universities and polytechnics, European research institutes, etc. VITO is based in Mol, with offices in Berchem and Ostend (Belgium).
Agfa-Gevaert
The Agfa-Gevaert Group is one of the world’s leading companies in imaging and information technology. Agfa develops, produces and commercialises analogue and digital systems for the printing industry (Agfa Graphics), the care sector (Agfa HealthCare) and specific industrial applications (Agfa Materials).
Agfa’s main office is based in Mortsel, Belgium. The company has a presence in 40 countries and has agents in more than 100 countries across the world. In 2007, the Agfa-Gevaert Group had a turnover of 3,283 million euros.
