Work

Above and beyond the Lab Scale─Creating a kW-Sized AEM Electrolyzer Validated by In-Situ Distribution of Relaxation Times

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Most reported anion exchange membrane water electrolyzers (AEMWEs) are currently limited to the usual 1–10 cm 2 electrodes in single-cell AEMWEs; however, accelerating its technology readiness level necessitates an explosive increment in unit sizes. We report the design, characterization, and validation of a 1 kW, 500 cm 2 (5 × 100 cm 2 ) non-PGM AEMWE stack. Complete with corrosion protection, internal heating, and a control system, the patented stack design operated stably at 1.0 A cm –2 with an energy efficiency of 53.2 kWh kg H 2 –1 . Moreover, to confirm cell-to-cell uniformity, a comprehensive statistical analysis was carried out to reveal five uniformly performing cells. Impedance analysis complemented by distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis revealed kinetic insights similar to those traditionally obtained for lab-scale electrodes, proving both non-PGM electrode scalability and efficacy, and the utility of DRT analysis on large-scale AEMWE stacks.

Source: Energy & Fuels

DOI: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.5c03702

Authors: Suhas Nuggehalli Sampathkumar, Thomas Benjamin Ferriday, Zoé Mury, Philippe Aubin, Khaled Lawand, Jan Van Herle

Institutions: École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, University of Oslo

Language: English

Topic: Fuel Cells and Related Materials

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,500