The development of high-efficiency MEA based on the core technology reduces the system production cost and generates hydrogen through the high-yielding rate per input power, and this technology has a long life cycle activating over 10,000 hours (depending on the proton exchange membrane and the anode/cathode catalysts used in the CCM). The estimated lifetime for this PEM electrolyzer stack (or individual cells present in the stack hardware) is ~6000 operational hours.  This PEM electrolyzer stack requires high-purity DI water (deionized water or distilled water with 18.2 MΩ·cm) for efficient operation.

Hydrogen generated from the water electrolyzer is used as the energy storage medium for HESS (Hydrogen Energy Storage System). The water electrolyzer can be even powered by renewable energy such as solar, wind-power, tidal, night-time electricity, and surplus power energy. When needed, hydrogen is converted to electricity by the fuel cell.

The proton exchange membrane (PEM) only allows water and positive ions (such as protons or H+) to be transported across the membrane component itself during the electrolysis reactions. The membrane also serves as the electrolyte in the cell, eliminating the need for hazardous liquid electrolytes such as concentrated potassium hydroxide which is required for conventional alkaline electrolyzers. This PEM electrolyzer stack requires only ultra-pure water such as deionized water (18.2 MΩ·cm) or distilled water for its operation.  PEM water electrolysis stack splits water molecules (H₂O) into its constituent parts, hydrogen (H₂) and oxygen (O₂), through a series of electrochemical reactions. When a DC voltage is applied to the electrolyzer, water fed to the anode, or oxygen electrode, are oxidized to oxygen and protons and release of electrons as a part of this oxygen evolution reaction. The protons (H⁺ ions) pass through the proton exchange membrane and travels to the cathode, or hydrogen electrode, where they meet electrons from the other side of the circuit, and are reduced to hydrogen gas. The two reactions that occur in the cell are as follows:

1. (Oxygen evolution reaction or OER at the anode electrode): 2H₂O -> 4H⁺ + 4e^- +O₂
2. (Hydrogen evolution reaction or HER at the cathode electrode): 4H⁺ + 4e^- -> 2H₂

Thus, the only possible components of the streams are hydrogen, oxygen and water moisture, as shown in Figure 1 below.  Solid polymer electrolyte membrane is the same as proton exchange membrane.

This image is courtesy of Kumar and Himabindu and their published work entitled as "Hydrogen production by PEM water electrolysis - a review".

• Size: 298 x 120 x 100 mm
• Material: Titanium (base material), Aluminum (End Plates)
• Number of cells: 10 cells
• Membrane: Proton exchange membrane (Gore®, 80 micrometers)
• Electrolyzer current range: 150 - 200 Amps (at ~1.8 V)
• Operating temperature range: 50 - 70 deg C
• Anode feed: Type I Distilled Water (18.2 MΩ·cm)
• Anode feed flow rate: 1500 mL/min at power, minimum of 1000 mL/min
• Active area: 100 cm2
• H2 flow rate: 10.5 - 14 L/min (STP)
• O2 flow rate: 5.2 - 7 L/min (STP)
• Operating voltage range: 16 - 20 V
• Power consumption range: 2400 - 4000 Watts

Applications:

• Redundant renewable energy transformation and storage
• Lab experiment and teaching
• Laboratory analytic instrument
• Generation of pure hydrogen fuel for niche applications
• Hydrogen gas supply for fuel cell
• Other pure H2 fuel demanding electrochemical or non-electrochemical applications

A typical lead time of 8-10 weeks to be expected.