The future of hydrogen production
PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) electrolysis is becoming increasingly important when it comes to the efficient and environmentally friendly production of green hydrogen. As one of the most advanced technologies for hydrogen production, it offers many advantages over traditional methods.
But what makes PEM electrolysis so special? It is its ability to enable sustainable and emission-free hydrogen production in combination with renewable energies.
Method - Principle - Processes
PEM water electrolysis is an electrochemical process in which water is broken down into its components hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) using electrical energy. A special membrane is used which is only conductive for hydrogen protons and thus enables efficient separation of the gases.
PEM electrolysers use a proton exchange membrane that acts as a solid polymer electrolyte. This membrane separates the anode from the cathode and ensures that only hydrogen ions (protons) are allowed to pass through.
At the anode, water is oxidized to oxygen, hydrogen protons and electrons. The protons are passed through the membrane to the cathode, where they are recombined with electrons to form hydrogen. This process takes place under high current densities and enables high performance with a compact design.
The hydrogen produced can be used and stored as an energy source, while the oxygen is released as a by-product.
The process begins with water treatment. Drinking water is purified in a desalination plant and temporarily stored in a buffer tank as ultrapure water.
Water quality is crucial, as impurities can damage the membrane and catalysts. The ultrapure water is fed into a circuit that includes the oxygen tank, pumps, heat exchanger and PEM stacks.
The actual splitting of the water takes place at the anode in the stack by supplying electrical energy, which is provided in the form of direct current by the power electronics. The protons pass through the proton exchange membrane to the cathode, where they are reduced to hydrogen.
The hydrogen is separated in the hydrogen container and excess oxygen and water are removed in a subsequent gas treatment process. The quality of the hydrogen produced is continuously monitored by an online gas analysis.
The PEM electrolyser stack is designed to offer high energy efficiency and a long service life. The careful selection and quality of the materials and the precise design of the individual components are crucial for the performance and reliability of the entire system.
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In addition to the electrolyzer, these also include filling station solutions with integrated compression, storage, cooling and filling of hydrogen.
In addition to PEM water electrolysis, there are various other hydrogen electrolysis processes, e.g:
This method uses an alkaline solution, usually potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH), as the electrolyte.
Alkaline electrolysis is known for its robustness and cost efficiency. It generally has lower efficiencies and slower reaction times compared to PEM electrolysis.
In addition, alkaline electrolysis is often less compact and flexible in its application.
This method uses thermal energy to support the electrolysis process and works at very high temperatures, often above 800 °C. The high performance results from the combination of electrical and thermal energy.
Due to the high temperatures, it places higher demands on material resistance and infrastructure. According to the current state of the art, it is inferior to PEM electrolysis and alkaline electrolysis in terms of service life and robustness.
The efficiency of PEM electrolysis is calculated as the ratio of the usable chemical energy of the hydrogen produced to the electrical energy used.
In PEM electrolysis, it is typically between 60% and 80%. This value varies depending on the system design, operating conditions and materials used.
Advances in technology and materials research are aimed at further increasing efficiency and minimizing energy requirements.
Green water for an environmentally friendly future
Together we make it successful.
In addition to its high performance, PEM electrolysis offers numerous other advantages that make it an ideal choice for hydrogen production:
Efficiency of 60-80 %, depending on operating parameters.
Flexible adaptation to fluctuating power sources such as renewable energies.
Space-saving design and high power density.
Production of almost pure hydrogen without complex post-purification.
Hydrogen can be produced at a higher pressure, which reduces compression costs.
Fast start-up and shut-down enables load management in the power grid.
With FEST electrolysers, the hydrogen is produced at high pressure so that an energetically and commercially efficient integration into an overall system can be easily realized. This means that the hydrogen can be used directly in many applications.
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PEM water electrolysis can be used for a wide range of applications, such as
The hydrogen from PEM electrolysis is used in a variety of ways, for example in the chemical industry, metal processing, glass production and food production.
PEM electrolysis supplies green hydrogen for fuel cell vehicles and enables emission-free mobility with a long range and short refueling times.
PEM electrolysis converts surplus electricity from renewable sources into hydrogen, which can be stored and converted back into electricity or used directly as required.
Key role in the energy transition
PEM electrolysis plays a key role in the global energy transition. With the increasing availability of renewable energy and the need to reduce CO2 emissions, the demand for clean hydrogen will continue to rise.
Research and developments in this area aim to increase efficiency and reduce costs in order to establish PEM electrolysis as a standard technology for hydrogen production.
PEM electrolysis is a pioneering technology for hydrogen production. It not only offers high efficiency and flexibility, but also a wide range of possible applications.
Despite existing challenges, development in this area is showing promising progress that can contribute to achieving global climate targets. PEM electrolysis will therefore play a central role in the energy landscape of the future.
Contact us
Pascal Pewinski
Vice President Sales and Business Development
FEST GmbH
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