https://www.cas.cn/cm/202512/t20251222_5093258.shtml

A novel “Integrated Hydrogen Production and Refueling Machine” has been developed by a team from the CAS Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics.

In the low-altitude economy, as one of the national strategic emerging industries, hydrogen-powered low-altitude aircraft, with their outstanding endurance and cycle life advantages, have significant application prospects. To meet the demand for efficient and convenient hydrogen supply from such aircraft, an integrated hydrogen production and refueling machine suitable for hydrogen-powered low-altitude aircraft was developed.

The core electrolyzer of this equipment consumes less than 4.3 kWh/standard cubic meter of hydrogen production energy, with a hydrogen production capacity of 2 standard cubic meters/hour. The system’s maximum output pressure reaches 35 MPa, offering fast response speed, small footprint, and easy mobility. Currently, the team has completed the development of a 10 kW-class device, enabling real-time on-site hydrogen production and refueling. Demonstration applications have been conducted in various scenarios, including hydrogen-powered drones and hydrogen electric vehicles, verifying the system’s stability and reliability.

In the future, this technology is expected to provide convenient and low-carbon hydrogen source solutions for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the low-altitude economy, intelligent robots, and distributed hydrogen supply.