Hydrogen Production | KnitMesh

Hydrogen Production

When it comes to knitted wire mesh and porous media, KnitMesh Technologies is unrivalled.

This fact is especially true in the fields of hydrogen production, electrolysis, fuel cells, and power-to-gas conversion.

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An Introduction to KnitMesh Hydrogen

Hydrogen producers from all over the world work with KnitMesh Technologies to develop and produce unique knitted wire mesh and porous media. Electrolysis, fuel cells, and power-to-gas conversion are just a few of the growing fields that rely on these product lines.

Knitted wire mesh is now widely used in various membrane technologies, including Polymer Electrolyte Membranes, Proton Exchange Membranes, and Ion Exchange Membranes.

This specialised material improves electrical and pressure contact in cell stacks and modular cell cartridges by connecting cells, divider stacker plates, membranes, and diaphragms.

Is High Contact Resistance Affecting Your Electrolyser’s Performance?

Electrolysers frequently experience issues with electrical contact resistance (ECR), which reduces efficiency and increases operating costs.

Mesh-Jointing is a unique welding process offered by KnitMesh Technologies that completely eliminates electrical contact resistance. The process is optional and involves creating a single, bonded structure between knitted wire mesh, metal plates and other components, such as bipolar plates, porous structures, metallic felt, and expanded metal.

Flat Knitted Mesh

Flat knitted mesh is a flexible, high-strength material composed of interlocking wire or filament loops.

Loop size: 2mm to 20mm
Filaments: single or multiple (0.05mm to 0.70mm)
Materials: wire, yarn or filament
Composite structure: optional combined materials
High density: optional layering and compressibility

Crimped Knitted Mesh

An additional processing step can transform a flat knitted mesh into a compressible waveform profile. A wide variety of compression types are available so that you can tailor your purchase to your unique needs.

Crimped knitted mesh is available in the same varieties as flat knitted mesh, including extra parameters.

Crimp height: 0mm to 12mm
Crimp direction: optional reversed crimp to prevent “nesting”
Welding: optional welding at the “trough” of the crimp

Compressed Knitted Mesh

KnitMesh Technologies possesses the technology and capacity to compress flat and crimped knitted mesh into a porous structure of nearly any configuration.

Compressed knitted mesh is available in the same varieties as flat and crimped knitted mesh, including extra parameters.

Porosity: controlled from 50% to 99%
Welding: enhances structural integrity and lowers electrical resistance
Surface area: 20,000 m²/m³ and 5m²/kg

Knitted Mesh Specification

Knitted wire mesh is available in any apparent width and manufactured from only the finest metal wire, including nickel, titanium, and stainless steel grade 316. KnitMesh Technologies can also process additional materials, such as platinum, gold, carbon fibre, glass wool, and coated or plated metals.

This cutting-edge material is formed from a network of interlocking loops (typically using 0.05mm to 0.35mm diameter wire) and finds widespread use in the hydrogen production industry.

Features and Benefits

Versatile: extremely effective for hydrogen production, electrolysis, fuel cells, chlor-alkali production, and power-to-gas conversion.
Uniform compressibility (spring force): eliminates electrical contact resistance (ECR) by applying consistent pressure to the electrode or membrane.
Resilient: exceptional compression ratios of >50%, with no plastic deformation.
Scalable: excellent gap control in cell stacking from <1 mm to any width required.
Electrical properties: Mesh-Jointing optionally applied to nearby components or within the mesh structure minimises electrical contact resistance (ECR).
Corrosion resistant: withstands demanding temperatures, pressures, and caustic electrolyte solutions, such as potassium hydroxide.
Open structure: allows hydrogen gas to ascend to the top of the cell for easy collection.
Fail-safe: enclosing the cut ends safeguards the membrane from puncture.
Bespoke: designed to meet application-specific needs, using customer-specified materials, wire diameter, and features.

Hydrogen ICE

Following a hydrogen-oxygen reaction, energy can be released as heat and pressure ie in hydrogen internal combustion engines where knitted mesh can be used applications such as crank case breathers, heat shields and exhaust systems