ALL-IN-ONE TESTING FACILITY FOR PEM AND AEM ELECTROLYSER STACKS
Due to the high demand of green hydrogen in greenhouse gas intensive industries and energy systems, several companies are investing into new electrolyser technologies. Considering the need for high power and dynamic electrolyser stacks, new materials and systems are popping up on the market and testing and validation procedures have to be implemented.
The HyCentA has been working in the field of hydrogen technologies for more than 19 years and has therefore developed several testing infrastructures based on customer and research requests. The development and implementation of an electrolyser stack test bed has greatly improved the portfolio of HyCentAs testing facilities.
The electrolysis test bench enables comprehensive characterization of electrolysis stacks with regard to their performance and aging mechanisms. An extensive investigation of different operating conditions and parameters with regard to the influences on performance, safety and service life forms an important cornerstone for stack and system development.
The stack test bench can not only be used to investigate electrochemical behavior via polarization curves and impedance spectra, but also to determine hydrogen diffusion to the anode side, water drag towards the cathode as well as the hydrogen gas quality. The sub-scale test stand covers a wide range from short stacks to small full stacks with a power range of 1-15 kW at a maximum current of 670 A and a hydrogen pressure of up to 160 bar. Flexible flow and temperature control on the anode side allow a wide range of operating conditions between 0.1-10 l/min and 20-80 °C to be mapped. Even the lowest partial load range can be investigated thanks to the capability to handle explosive atmospheres on the anode side safely. The stack test stand is divided into several functional subsystems, see block diagram.
During the first year of the project ProGen, several improvements have been integrated:
1) Implementation of 24/7 operation: The continuous operation of the test bench enables long-term testing with little effort. The accumulation of 168 possible operation hours per week enables durability checks with impressive results.
2) Impedance measurements at 400 A: The challenge of impedance measurements in a frequency range from 0.1 Hz to 50 kHz was solved by a standalone solution.
3) Cyclic voltammetry proof of concept: At stack level cyclic voltammetry is a challenging task. Our team achieved a first proof of concept with further investigations to come.
Impact and effects
Based on these improvements, the test bed is equipped for versatile customer and research partner requests. In 2023, the following could be achieved:
- Stacks tested: 12
- Operation hours: 2,000 h
- Hydrogen produced: > 88.0 kg
The new and improved test bed will help develop new technologies to support the shift towards a new and green energy system.
Project partners
- Andritz AG, Austria
- Heraeus Holding GmbH, Germany
- Energienetze Steiermark GmbH, Austria
- MIBA Sinter GmbH, Austria
- OMV Downstream GmbH, Austria
- Graz University of Technoloy, Austria
- Profactor GmbH, Austria
- Simon Fraser University, Canada
- Laufenberg GmbH, Germany