Producing hydrogen and extracting magnesium simultaneously from seawater electrolysis, the by-product revenue may exceed that of hydrogen itself.

Recently, the co - production project of hydrogen production and magnesium extraction by electrolyzing seawater in Xuwen, Zhanjiang, relying on the joint R & D achievements of Hainan University and Ningbo Institute of Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences, synchronously produces green hydrogen and high - purity magnesium hydroxide by electrolyzing natural seawater. It is expected to achieve double breakthroughs in efficient resource utilization and economic benefits.

From Photovoltaic Consumption to Co - production of Hydrogen and Magnesium: The Birth of a Commercialization Idea

The project started from in - depth thinking about green electricity consumption and cost reduction of green hydrogen.

The team found that the cost of traditional water electrolysis for hydrogen production remains high. If the abundant magnesium elements in seawater are efficiently extracted into high - purity magnesium hydroxide, a high - value - added material widely used in flame retardants, lithium batteries and other fields, its market value may even exceed that of hydrogen itself.

This insight led to interdisciplinary cooperation. The project was initiated by Mei Man, a consulting engineer with engineering and industrial experience. It integrated the previously published relevant research of Nan Haoxiong, an associate professor at the College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering of Hainan University, and Lu Zhiyi, a researcher at Ningbo Institute of Materials, Chinese Academy of Sciences, forming a complete path from the laboratory to industrialization.

Technological Breakthrough: Solving Electrode Scaling and Realizing Direct Seawater Electrolysis

The core of the project is to overcome the electrode scaling problem that has long restricted seawater electrolysis. The team innovatively developed a "non - stick" electrode technology, which effectively prevents mineral deposition by constructing an electrostatic repulsion layer on the electrode surface.

This technology has enabled the core equipment to operate continuously and stably in natural seawater for more than 5,000 hours without obvious performance degradation, making it possible to directly electrolyze seawater without complex pretreatment and significantly reducing energy consumption and operating costs.

"Co - production of Hydrogen and Magnesium" Model: By - product Revenue Significantly Reduces the Cost of Green Hydrogen

The "co - production of hydrogen and magnesium" model created by the project has become its key competitiveness. For every 1 kg of green hydrogen produced, about dozens of kilograms of high - purity magnesium hydroxide can be produced synchronously. As a high - end flame retardant and raw material for lithium batteries, etc., there is a high degree of import dependence and continuous growth in demand in the domestic market, bringing considerable revenue to the project and significantly reducing the comprehensive production cost of green hydrogen.

The project simultaneously enters two major tracks of green energy and new materials: Green hydrogen is urgently needed as a key carrier for deep decarbonization in the steel, chemical and other industries; there is a significant gap for high - purity magnesium hydroxide in lithium batteries, environmental protection materials and other fields, and there is broad space for domestic substitution.

The project is initially located on Donghai Island in Zhanjiang, adjacent to potential hydrogen energy users such as Baosteel Zhanjiang Iron and Steel and Zhongke Refining and Chemical, with the advantage of local consumption; the local abundant solar energy resources also provide a guarantee for green electricity supply.

Commercialization Path and Team's Voice

The project plans to adopt a mixed model of "financing + additional investment + government participation" to promote. It has been initially located in Xuwen, Zhanjiang, and a preliminary investment benefit analysis has been completed. The team plans to control the initial investment through minimalist engineering design and centralized procurement. Relying on the advantages of local green electricity and seawater (zero - cost raw materials) and the revenue from high - value - added by - products, the team aims to recover the investment within a few years without subsidies.

Mei Man, the project leader, said: "The successful verification of this technology shows that the cost problem of green hydrogen can be effectively solved through comprehensive resource utilization. We are not only producing hydrogen but also exploring a sustainable high - value development model for marine resources."

At present, the technical demonstration project of co - production of hydrogen and magnesium by electrolyzing seawater has achieved stable operation, accumulating key data and engineering experience for large - scale promotion. Next, the team will focus on promoting the construction of the first commercial demonstration plant and actively connect with large - scale coastal industrial bases to transform technological advantages into industrial competitiveness and provide new solutions for the development of green hydrogen and new materials industries in China and even the world.