ELECTROLYZER

ELECTROLYZER

Green Hydrogen

Green hydrogen is produced by using clean electricity from surplus renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to electrolyze water. The hydrogen produced can be stored as a gas or liquid and used for a wide range of industrial processes, significantly reducing emissions.

Green hydrogen production through electrolysis

In green hydrogen production, electrolysis is used to break down water into its individual elements: hydrogen (H2) which is compressed and sent to storage, and oxygen (O2) which is either also stored or vented to the atmosphere.

There are several different electrolyzers that can be used:

Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers

PEM electrolyzers use a solid polymer electrolyte that only allows hydrogen ions (protons) to pass through to form hydrogen gas on the cathode side.

Alkaline electrolyzers

Alkaline electrolyzers use an electrolyte solution (usually potassium hydroxide) which allows hydroxide ions through leaving hydrogen gas bubbles.

Solid oxide electrolyzers

A solid ceramic material is used as the electrolyte at high temperature. Water is used in the form of steam which results in higher energy but produces ultra-pure hydrogen with great efficiency.

Hydrogen production by PEM electrolysis of water

Solutions for green hydrogen production

Regardless of the electrolyzer type, Parker technologies are essential to protect the process, to maintain efficiency and to purify the hydrogen gas stream to the required high standard. Parker’s broad filtration portfolio includes liquid filtration, gas separation, purification, cooling, hydraulics, fluid conveyance and sealing.

ELECTROLYZER FEEDWATER PURIFICATION

Water is the feedstock for green hydrogen production, and it must be treated to ultrapure quality. The water treatment solution required depends on the choice of electrolyzer technology and water source. Inadequate water treatment can jeopardize the operation and damage the electrolyzer.

Parker’s wide range of water purification solutions provide innovative ways to filter, purify, discharge, recapture, recondition or reuse industrial and process water. Our proven industrial and customized membrane and filtration systems blend superior performance with full compliance to deliver optimum reliability in pretested, packaged skids or turnkey containerized solutions for electrolyzer applications.

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FEEDWATER AND LYE FILTRATION

Alkaline electrolyzer technology uses highly corrosive potassium hydroxide 30- 40% (KOH) as the electroyte. In the alkaline electrolser the electrolyte will be separated from the hydrogen and oxygen gas stream and circulated back to the stack again. Due to the corrosive KOH the electrolyzer component will corrode and produce very fine particles. These particles, when not filtered out, will contaminate the stack and other components with the result of lower efficiency and a shorter lifetime of the stack and the electrolyte.

The Parker XtreamPure filter offers high performance and a smaller vessel footprint which are important to maintaining a clean electrolyte stream. The vessel is designed with large diameter cartridges that allow for high flow rates which significantly reduces the number of cartridges to change out. With a wide variety of cartridge options, the XtreamPure filter is sure to be a winner for filtering your electrolyte stream!

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ELECTROLYZER GAS / WATER SEPARATION (HYDROGEN AND OXYGEN)

When it comes to removing bulk water from gas streams on an electrolyzer (both hydrogen and oxygen) a plant operator will generally want to remove as much water as possible with an efficient and compact solution. Removing water or electrolyte from the hydrogen stream coming off the electrolyzer stack is one such area where effective removal of water / electrolyte can reduce product loss, downstream corrosion, contamination, and damage to equipment such as compressors, molecular sieve dryers, and blowers. The other benefit about high efficient water removal is that the demineralized water production system can produce less water.

For electrolyzer applications, Parker has developed a unique Gemini solution which combines bulk water separation, high efficiency gas coalescing (utilising Parker’s proprietary PEACH technology) and degassing - prior to the separated water being returned to the stack. By combining multiple filtration and separation technologies into one system, customers can benefit from increased efficiency, and reduced complexity, cost and footprint. The Gemini solution can be used to separate bulk water from both hydrogen and oxygen gas streams.

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ELECTROLYZER SYSTEM PURGE

Upon start up and following electrolyzer system maintenance, a nitrogen purge may be required. Nitrogen gas can be supplied in a variety of methods, including gas cylinders or liquid nitrogen dewars. Depending on the electrolyzer location, there may be challenges with traditional gas supply methods, such as logistical issues, safety concerns and high costs (delivery, rental of cylinders, cost of gas).

Parker offers a wide range of Nitrogen Generators – based on two technologies – pressure swing adsorption and proprietary hollow fibre membrane. The systems enable customers to generate their own gas - on site, safely and conveniently. Compressed air delivered to the generator is separated and the nitrogen can be delivered at the purity required for the customer application. The systems are incredibly reliable, require minimal maintenance and offer >10 years’ service life.

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ELECTROLYZER COOLING

The two most established processes for green hydrogen production are alkaline water electrolysis and proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis. In both processes, a liquid is recirculated over an electrolyzer stack to form hydrogen and oxygen. During the electrolysis process, heat is released, which needs to be cooled away to prevent the electrolyte solution from boiling and evaporating, which can be dangerous and reduce the efficiency of the reaction. Further downstream, the hydrogen is compressed, which requires compression interstage and aftercoolers. A closed loop of water or water-glycol mixture is used to cool all the different coolers in the hydrogen production process. And the closed loop is cooled in a central system.

Parker can offer the following solutions for electrolyzer cooling: -

Hyperchill process gas chillers

Extremely compact and easy to use, Hyperchill and Hyperchill Plus-E Chillers are designed for safe and reliable operation in various working conditions while providing a precise and accurate control of the process fluid temperature. The availability of a wide range of accessories and options makes Hyperchill and Hyperchill Plus-E a very flexible solution that fits the needs of all industrial applications.

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Heatric printed circuit heat exchangers

Parker’s Heatric Printed Circuit Heat Exchangers (PCHEs) are a compact, high-performance and bespoke solution optimized for hydrogen processing and conditioning. Up to 85% smaller and lighter than traditional heat transfer technologies, with multi-steam capability, the Heatric PCHE minimizes footprint and pipework complexity through compact engineering and design.

Heatric PCHEs are manufactured sing a specialized solid-state joining process known as diffusion-bonding. This process creates a heat exchanger core with no joints, welds of points of failure. The resulting unit combines exceptional strength and integrity with high efficiency and thermal performance to enable modern energy applications.

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Liquid coolers with AC motor

The Parker Liquid Cooler with AC Motor (LAC) and Quiet Liquid Cooler with AC Motor (QAC) removes excess heat from the electrolyzer by circulating a coolant through a heat exchanger, which is in contact with the electrolyte solution. The coolant absorbs the excess heat and carries it away from the electrolyzer, thereby maintaining a safe and stable operating temperature. The Quiet Liquid Cooler with AC Motor (QAC) is optimized for low sound level.

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HYDROGEN GAS PURIFICATION

Parker offers a wide range of purification solutions including filtration and adsorption technologies which are scalable in terms of gas flow rate and pressure. For hydrogen gas, we develop customized solutions, utilising temperature swing adsorption (TSA) drying and de-oxo technologies - designed to consider any space limitations within the electrolyzer. On-line gas monitoring is also available as an option.

Contact us about your electrolyzer application

ELECTROLYZER HYDRAULIC POWER

Hydraulic power units play a critical role in hydrogen production, providing the necessary force and pressure to drive the electrochemical reactions that generate hydrogen from water.

Hydraulic pumps and high-pressure bladder accumulators are also commonly used in electrolyzers to store and regulate the pressure of the hydrogen produced, ensuring the safe and efficient production of hydrogen. Additionally, by storing the hydrogen at high pressure, it can be more easily transported and used as a fuel source for a variety of applications, including transportation and energy production.

Hydraulic power unit for PEM electrolyzers

For a 24 MW PEM electrolysis demonstration plant to supply green hydrogen for ammonia production, Parker supplied a tailored hydraulic power unit designed for an operating pressure of up to 400 bar. To increase efficiency, the unit is built as a stack. It operates three large cylinders that compress the stack and eight small cylinders that act on the proton exchange membrane.

High pressure bladder accumulators

Parker’s EHV High Pressure Bladder Accumulator is specifically designed for hydrogen applications. As the hydrogen gas is produced in the electrolyzer, it is fed into the gas chamber of the accumulator, causing the bladder to compress and the hydraulic fluid to be displaced into a separate hydraulic chamber. This allows the pressure of the hydrogen gas to be regulated and maintained at a constant level, preventing over-pressurization of the system, which could result in equipment failure or even explosion.

Hydraulic pumps

Parker offers multiple hydraulic pump technologies which will create an optimized and customizable system, ensuring pressure and flow performance at the highest levels of system efficiency. Parker’s PVplus piston pump is optimized for heavy duty applications and used to pressurize the hydraulic fluid and maintain a continuous flow within the system. Vane pumps offer high volumetric efficiency to displace a large volume of hydraulic fluid. Meanwhile they provide smooth operation which reduces the likehood of pressure fluctuations that could impact the electrolyzer’s performance. The high efficient Parker bent axis design pumps, with unique spherical piston concept, gives thermal shock resistance. The well proven gear synchronization and double tapered bearing concept gives a very robust and reliable pump in demanding applications, applicable for both open and closed loop systems. Combined with our well proven track record of durable pumps, we have an outstanding uptime. Parker’s high efficient variable truck pump, VP1, with wide displacement range, light weight, tandem mount feature and robust design makes it an outstanding choice when building an energy efficient system.

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FLUID CONVEYANCE FOR GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

The use of fluid conveyance technology in electrolysis

Fluid conveyance on a green hydrogen electrolyzer refers to the system of fittings, connectors, valves, hose and tube used to transfer fluids, such as water and electrolyte, to and from the electrolyzer cells. Parker’s products are designed to handle the pressures and temperatures required for the electrolysis process and are manufactured in a range of corrosion resistant alloys.

Featured fittings, connectors, regulators, sensors and hose products

Parker’s fluid conveyance solutions for green hydrogen electrolyzer applications are specifically designed to optimize uptime. Small bore connectors, couplings, hose, sensors and tubing are all used to control pressure, temperature, and flow of gas and liquids while ensuring a leak-proof connection. All of these solutions provide the necessary connections and flow control to ensure the safe and efficient operation of the electrolyzer.

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SEALING TECHNOLOGY FOR GREEN HYDROGEN PRODUCTION

Efficient hydrogen production requires large electrolysis systems that are demanding on the sealing systems due to their sheer size. For alkaline electrolyzers chemical resistance and service life are particlularly important while PEM electrolyzers require low-permeation sealing solutions. Solid oxide electrolyzers, due to high operating temperatures, call for non-polymer sealing solutions such as metallic sealing systems.

Featured sealing solutions

High thermal requirements, extreme pressures, and chemical resistance are key challenges to be met by sealing systems in electrolyzers. Parker Prädifa offers suitable seal materials and specialty seal designs – also available in very large dimensions – that withstand such extreme conditions. In addition to meeting these requirements, our sealing solutions, especially those for bipolar plates or other seals close to the stack, have a functionally reliable and easy to install design to enable cost-efficient mass production of electrolysis systems.

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SEALS FOR BIPOLAR PLATES

Seals for bipolar plates provide reliable sealing for stacks in fuel cells and electrolyzers against the media required for operating fuel cells or electrolyzer cells. They prevent gas or electrolyte loss and ensure the performance of the total system.

WARP SEALS

Warp Seals are special static seals that compensate for axial, radial and/or angular misalignment within a wide tolerance range. They are suitable, for example, for sealing port connections and feedthroughs of all kinds in housings.

CHEMLOK® AP-133 ADHESIVE

Chemlok® AP-133 primer and/or adhesive is a clear one-coat adhesive used to bond unvulcanized silicone rubber to various substrates such as metals, glass, plastics and textiles. It also bonds specialty elastomers.

LORD® IMBTM 3050 PRIMER

LORD® IMBTM 3050 primer is a single-component functional surface treatment agent designed for bonding additioncured (platinum-cured) silicone rubber to a variety of metal and compatible plastic substrates during the injection or compression molding process. Compatible plastic substrates include: polycarbonates, polyphenylsulfones, polyetherimides, some polyamides, some elastomers, and other thermoplastics.

ETHYLENE PROPYLENE RUBBER O-RING, 70 SHORE A, AUTOMOTIVE APPLICATIONS (PRÄDIFA SERIES E8556-70)

EPDM O-ring with focus on automotive, chemical processing, pharmaceutical and general industrial applications, black.

CHLORINE-BUTYL RUBBER O-RING , 70 SHORE A, GENERAL INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS (PRÄDIFA SERIES B8885-70)

CIIR O-Ring with focus on heating ventilation air conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration, consumer, general industrial and hydrogen applications, black.

COMPOSITE SEALS

Composite solutions from Parker Prädifa reduce number of components, design space and weight, as well as maintenance and installation requirements. They increase efficiency, reduce costs and open up new development potential.

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