Electrolysis

For the generation of hydrogen by electrolysis of water ZBT develops and operates laboratory test cells in order to characterise cell components like membranes, catalysts and electrodes. Materials which can be used at PEM-Electrolysis or at alkaline membrane electrolysis (AEM-Electrolysis: Anion Exchange Membrane Electrolysis) are under investigation.

Materials can be supplied by project partners or customers. Catalytic coating of electrode substrates can be also done at ZBT by means of spray or doctor blade coating processes.

For operation and characterisation of single cells or small stacks different test rigs and cell concepts are available. Current-voltage response curves and electrochemical impedance spectra can be measured and analysed.

• Design and construction of test cells
• Development and testing of electrodes in laboratory scale
• Set up and operation of test cells
• Measurement of current-voltage response curves
• Impedance spectroscopy
• Laser optical flow measurements

For our work we have an extensive infrastructure at our disposal, which allows us to both research the design and construction of the individual components and to validate the results in a realistic environment.

• Outdoor area with the possibility to install and test container-based electrolysis systems up to 150 kW electrical power
• Electrolysis stack test stand up to 35 bar (anode and cathode), 2,000 A, 40 kW
• Test stations for single cells and small stacks
• Ex-situ analysis (material properties, 3D scan)
• Different software tools (CAD/CFD/CAM and Multiphysics)

Electrolyser-System-Tests:

• Maximum connected load currently approx. 150 kW
• further requirements system-dependent
• Product gas analysis in the HyLab quality laboratory

Electrolysis stack tests

• Maximum electrical power output: 40 kW
• Maximum pressure anode and cathode: 35 bar
• Electrolysis types: Low Temperature PEM Electrolysis Stacks
• Water supply & temperature control also possible on the cathode side
• Online analysis of O₂/H₂ & H₂/O₂
• Gamry Reference 3000 AE + 30k booster
• Product gas analysis in the HyLab quality laboratory