Arianne Phosphate, Saguenay, Quebec, a development-stage phosphate mining company advancing its Lac à Paul project in Quebec’s Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region, announced on Dec. 15 that it is working with the University of Quebec at Three-Rivers (UQTR) to assess the use of Arianne’s phosphate concentrate in electrolysers that produce hydrogen for use in hydrogen fuel cells.
UQTR’s work is focusing on designs around the proton exchange membrane (PEM) within electrolysers that produce hydrogen for use in fuel cells.
Arianne said that currently, electrolysers have three main challenges for mass production: performance, durability, and cost. The current research centers on the use of phosphate-based materials in the components of the electrolyser and would address these challenges. It said phosphate allows for greater ionic conductivity and will optimize hydrogen production.
“Although early in the process, electrolysers, as well as our recently announced work with LFP batteries, continues to demonstrate the increasing demands for phosphate beyond the agricultural sector,” said Brian Ostroff, Arianne President.
“Arianne’s high-purity phosphate is ideal to meet the world’s growing demand for phosphate as it very well-suited for applications of all sorts; from fertilizer to advanced energy applications. Further, with the project located in Quebec, Canada, it addresses many offtakers’ concerns around security of supply, an issue that has, and continues to, affect the global availability of phosphate,” Ostroff added.