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https://github.com/sourceduty/tankless_hydrogen

Compact energy device that generates hydrogen gas directly from water without storing either the input (water) or the output (hydrogen) in tanks.
https://github.com/sourceduty/tankless_hydrogen

ai artificial-intelligence chatgpt custom-gpt energy fuel fuel-cell gpt gpts hydrogen innovation openai power sourceduty system tankless tech technology

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Compact energy device that generates hydrogen gas directly from water without storing either the input (water) or the output (hydrogen) in tanks.

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README 

          
![Tankless Hydrogen Fuel Cell](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/d080b4e2-9662-4beb-bcb6-5c06e85ef9d2)



A [tankless water electrolysis hydrogen fuel cell](https://chatgpt.com/g/g-685b3527bef8819191c8c6ba766a6b4a-tankless-hydrogen) is a compact energy device that generates hydrogen gas directly from water without storing either the input (water) or the output (hydrogen) in tanks. It achieves this by splitting water molecules using an electric current in an electrolytic cell. At the anode, water is oxidized to release oxygen gas, and at the cathode, hydrogen ions receive electrons to form hydrogen gas. This hydrogen is fed immediately into a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack where it reacts with oxygen from the air to generate electricity and water vapor. The entire process is continuous and self-contained, making it well-suited for scenarios where low flow, on-demand energy is needed, such as portable electronics, off-grid systems, or lightweight vehicles.



The feed line in a tankless hydrogen fuel cell system is pressurized by sealing the electrolytic water-splitting chamber, allowing internal pressure to build naturally as hydrogen gas is produced through electrolysis. As hydrogen forms at the cathode and accumulates, the pressure rises within the sealed chamber until it is sufficient to push the gas directly through a high-pressure feed line into the PEM fuel cell stack. This pressurization occurs without the need for external compression equipment because the electrolyzer acts as both the generator and pressurizer of the hydrogen gas. The system maintains this pressure dynamically with an integrated control unit that regulates flow rates, valve operations, and safety thresholds to ensure stable delivery of hydrogen to the fuel cell under optimal operating conditions.



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![Groundbreaking](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/a7813fca-9982-4fbc-9cc4-3d59e1fcefa5)



This technology is relatively new and could be considered groundbreaking in specific applications due to its elimination of hydrogen storage tanks and compression systems. Traditional hydrogen fuel cells depend on bulky, high-pressure tanks to store hydrogen, which adds weight, cost, and complexity. In contrast, the tankless approach allows for more compact and potentially safer designs. By integrating water electrolysis and hydrogen fuel cells into a single unit, and potentially powering them with renewable sources like solar or wind, this system offers a decentralized and environmentally friendly energy solution. It's especially valuable where conventional fuel infrastructure is lacking or where transport of compressed hydrogen is impractical.



In terms of scientific and practical benefits, tankless hydrogen fuel cells represent a significant advancement. They promise cleaner energy generation with reduced reliance on fossil fuels, aligning with broader goals for carbon neutrality and sustainable development. Scientifically, they stimulate progress in electrochemistry, materials science, and systems engineering, especially through research into high-efficiency electrodes, advanced membranes, and smart control systems. As the technology matures and scales, it could drastically lower production costs and open new markets, thereby fostering innovation across energy, transportation, and electronics sectors. It also offers a strong educational and research platform for understanding renewable energy integration, making it a valuable tool in both academic and applied scientific contexts.



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Sourceduty has pioneered an innovative, tankless hydrogen fuel cell system that seamlessly integrates high-efficiency water electrolysis with a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell into a compact, unified device—eliminating the need for external hydrogen storage or compression. This system uses a sealed electrolysis chamber to split water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable electricity, directly feeding the produced hydrogen into a PEM fuel cell stack under pressure, where it reacts with oxygen from the air to generate clean electrical energy and water vapor. The key components include high surface area electrodes for efficient electrolysis, a PEM fuel cell stack optimized for direct hydrogen feed, and an intelligent control system that regulates flow rates, pressure, and temperature for optimal operation. By bypassing the energy-intensive and bulky steps of gas compression and tank storage, Sourceduty's design offers a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient solution especially suitable for portable electronics, small electric vehicles, off-grid applications, and decentralized power generation. This technology not only enables on-site green hydrogen production using solar or wind power but also significantly reduces the system’s environmental footprint and operational complexity, positioning it as a next-generation alternative to traditional battery and tanked hydrogen systems.



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A small-scale tankless water electrolysis hydrogen fuel cell system, designed for portable or intermittent-use applications such as backup power or off-grid energy generation, is currently estimated to cost between $500 and $700 USD (approximately $680 to $950 CAD) for a prototype unit. This cost includes essential components such as a high-surface-area electrolytic water-splitting chamber ($50–$100), a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell stack capable of around 500W output with approximately 60% efficiency ($200–$400), and an integrated control system to manage flow rates, pressures, and temperatures with real-time feedback and adjustment capabilities ($100–$200). Additional expenses for packaging, assembly, and quality testing bring the total within this range. This tankless configuration eliminates the need for separate hydrogen storage tanks and compression systems, enabling a more compact, efficient, and lightweight design particularly suited for decentralized, renewable-powered energy solutions. While upfront costs remain relatively high due to the emerging nature of the technology and specialized materials like platinum catalysts and advanced membranes, future economies of scale through automated manufacturing and improved component efficiency could reduce unit costs to below $100 USD, making this an increasingly viable clean energy option for small-scale applications.



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![Tankless](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/53f286da-84cd-406d-af82-db5edd43586e)



The comparison of tankless and tanked hydrogen fuel cell systems based on efficiency stages reveals notable advantages for the tankless approach. Starting from a baseline of 100% electricity input, both systems assume a similar electrolysis efficiency of around 75%, reflecting typical conversion rates when splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. However, the key divergence arises during the hydrogen handling phase: tanked systems suffer an additional 15% energy loss due to the compression and storage of hydrogen gas, which is necessary for maintaining high-pressure reserves before fuel cell usage. This step significantly reduces the available energy for subsequent conversion in the fuel cell. Both systems utilize PEM fuel cells with approximately 60% efficiency in converting hydrogen into electricity, but due to the preceding compression losses, the tanked system delivers only about 38.25% net electrical output from the original energy input, whereas the tankless system retains around 45%. This 6.75% advantage underscores the inherent efficiency of on-demand hydrogen generation in tankless designs, which bypasses the need for compression, storage, and associated infrastructure. Consequently, tankless systems are more suitable for applications where compactness, lower operational losses, and integration with renewable sources are critical, such as in portable power units, remote installations, and small electric vehicles.



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