Project Objectives
In this project an electrochemical in-situ diagnostic tool for locally
resolved measurements of current densities, which has been
originally developed for application in polymer electrolyte membrane
based fuel cells, will be adapted and integrated into water
electrolysers. The tool will be applied to three different electrolysis
technologies in a parallel effort: proton exchange membrane
electrolysers, alkaline electrolysers and anion exchange membrane
electrolysers.
With this tool, which will include relevant sensors, the operating
conditions will be monitored on-line. Test protocols for normal
operation and accelerated ageing operation modes will be applied to
the systems with the aim to identify critical operating conditions by
means of the new integrated diagnostic tool.
Parallel to these in-situ diagnostics, ex-situ investigations of
electrolyser components, such as electrodes and membranes, will
support the approach. Fresh and aged samples will be studied, in
steady interaction with the in-situ diagnostics, to identify the
mechanisms leading to performance losses and failure of
components.
These two approaches will be combined to find strategies and
operation parameters to anticipate and to avoid hazardous operation
modes. The possible use of electrolysers as decentralised storage
systems for excess electric energy and thus providing a ustainable
energy carrier in form of hydrogen will require a reliable operation
under varying loads.
Roles of the consortium members:
Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt:
Design of the in-situ diagnostics tools, PEM water electrolysis
NEL Hydrogen AS: Alkaline water electrolysis
Heliocentris Italy: Anion exchange water electrolysis
Centre Nationale de Recherches Scientifiques / Université de
Strasbourg:
Ex-situ analyses
Hochschule Esslingen: Ex-situ analyses
© DLR-TT-ECE 2016
European Project
INSIDE
In-situ Diagnostics in Water Electrolysers