Stephen B. Harrison on sbh4 consulting charts the unstoppable rise of AEM as an electrolyser technology
PEM electrolysis has its origins in the General Electric Company’s Wilmington labs in the 1970s. The idea to create the PEM electrolyser was enabled by the invention of the solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) membrane. In recent years, the acronym PEM has gained preference, meaning polymer electrolyte membrane, or proton exchange membrane.
The need to innovate in the field of water electrolysis to make hydrogen or oxygen was clear. It was essential to overcome some of the challenges associated with alkaline electrolysis technologies.
The diaphragm in an alkaline electrolyser is porous and there is a chance that oxygen and hydrogen gases can pass through it and create an unsafe explosive gas mixture. The risk of this is especially high when the electrolyser turns down to a low percentage of its maximum operating power input. PEM electrolysers suffer less from this issue.
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