FluCoM – Fluid Condition Monitoring [H2Giga]

Background

The hydrogen lead project H2Giga, injected by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF), promotes interdisciplinary cooperation between industry and research to develop series-ready electrolysers for the production of competitive green hydrogen.

Within the framework of the various projects, the three main types of electrolyzers - polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis (PEMEL), alkaline electrolysis (AEL) and high-temperature electrolysis (HTEL) - are to be brought to production maturity.

Project description

The performance of an electrolyzer depends on the quality of the process water/electrolyte. Depending on the electrolyzer used, various impurities are introduced into the process water/electrolyte during operation, which must be removed again in appropriate purification systems in order to enable sustainable and effective process water/electrolyte circulation in electrolyzers.

The aim of the FluCoM project, which is being worked on in cooperation with TEC4FUELS GmbH, is to develop a purification concept for the cyclization of process water.

In consultation with electrolyzer manufacturers, the effects of different water qualities on the effectiveness of the purification systems are being investigated.

Interfering substances in the electrolyte cycle of PEMEL, AEL as well as HTEL will be identified and a specification of the minimum water quality requirement for each type of electrolyzer will be established.

At the DECHEMA Research Institute, established analytical methods are being adapted to the electrolysis-specific requirements for this purpose. Among other things, an analytical method using optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (ICP-OES) is being developed and compared with other, established methods in terms of its detection limits. Furthermore, a concept for the use of ICP-OES as an on-line sensor for continuous electrolysis operation will be developed.