CNPC Commissions First 2,000 Nm³/h Alkaline Water Electrolysis Hydrogen System at Dushanzi Petrochemical

Xinjiang, China — China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) has commissioned its first 2,000 Nm³/h alkaline water electrolysis hydrogen production system at Dushanzi Petrochemical, marking a significant step in the company's efforts to expand renewable hydrogen production for refining and petrochemical applications.

The system entered stable operation on July 7, with all key technical indicators meeting design specifications during initial commissioning. According to project data, the hydrogen produced meets the required purity standards, while the electrolyzer has achieved performance levels comparable with leading large-scale alkaline electrolysis systems currently deployed in the industry.

The project represents CNPC's latest effort to strengthen its in-house engineering capabilities for green hydrogen production and to accelerate the integration of renewable hydrogen into large-scale refining operations. It also provides a practical demonstration of how domestically developed hydrogen technologies can support lower-carbon petrochemical production.

Large-Capacity Electrolyzer Designed for Industrial Hydrogen Demand

Hydrogen consumption at modern refining and petrochemical facilities is typically measured in tens of thousands of normal cubic meters per hour, making conventional small-scale electrolyzers unsuitable for large industrial applications.

The newly commissioned 2,000 Nm³/h single-unit alkaline electrolyzer system has been designed to address this challenge by delivering higher hydrogen output while reducing equipment footprint and system integration costs. The larger unit capacity enables direct integration with refinery hydrocracking and hydrogenation processes, where continuous and stable hydrogen supply is essential.

According to the project, the electrolyzer also demonstrates competitive operating efficiency for a system of its size. The successful commissioning indicates that CNPC has made progress in addressing key engineering challenges associated with large-capacity alkaline electrolysis, including flow-field optimization, thermal management and stable operation under high current density.

The project's hydrogen purification system has also met the stringent purity requirements required for refinery applications, confirming the reliability of its gas separation and downstream purification processes.

Integrated Hydrogen Production Supports Low-Carbon Refining

Beyond the technical performance of the electrolyzer, the Dushanzi project demonstrates how renewable hydrogen can be integrated directly into refinery operations.

By producing hydrogen on site and supplying it to downstream processing units through dedicated pipelines, the project reduces the need for long-distance hydrogen transportation and associated logistics costs. This integrated production-and-consumption model also improves supply reliability while supporting the gradual replacement of conventionally produced hydrogen in refinery processes.

As China's refining industry pursues lower-carbon operations, on-site renewable hydrogen production is increasingly viewed as a practical pathway for reducing emissions without fundamentally changing existing industrial processes.

Large-Scale Electrolyzers Gain Momentum

The commissioning of the 2,000 Nm³/h system reflects a broader shift in China's hydrogen sector toward larger-capacity electrolyzers designed for industrial applications.

Compared with smaller systems typically deployed in pilot projects, higher-capacity electrolyzers can deliver greater hydrogen output while reducing unit investment, installation complexity and operating costs. These advantages are particularly important for refineries, chemical plants and other industries with continuous, large-volume hydrogen demand.

Industry activity over the past year also points to growing investment in large-scale renewable hydrogen projects. Recent developments include Sinopec's megawatt-scale PEM electrolyzer deployment at Zhongyuan Oilfield and several renewable hydrogen initiatives combining wind, solar and biomass resources across northern China.

Together, these projects indicate that China's hydrogen industry is moving beyond technology demonstration toward larger-scale commercial deployment.

Growing Focus on In-House Engineering Capabilities

The Dushanzi project also highlights a growing emphasis among China's major energy companies on developing in-house engineering expertise for hydrogen technologies.

Rather than acting solely as project developers or end users, leading state-owned energy companies are becoming more deeply involved in system integration, engineering design, equipment selection and project delivery. This approach is expected to strengthen domestic manufacturing capabilities while accelerating the commercialization of large-scale hydrogen production systems.

For industrial users, greater engineering integration can also improve project reliability, reduce construction risks and shorten deployment timelines.

Outlook

As more renewable hydrogen projects enter commercial operation, demand for higher-capacity electrolyzers is expected to continue growing across China's refining, petrochemical and chemical industries.

Projects such as the Dushanzi installation illustrate how renewable electricity can be converted into hydrogen and consumed directly within industrial facilities, providing an efficient pathway for reducing emissions while improving renewable energy utilization.

With continued investment in electrolyzer technology, engineering capabilities and renewable energy infrastructure, integrated hydrogen production is expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting the decarbonization of China's industrial sector.