PEM Electrolyzers: Supporting Green Hydrogen Production Through Effective Filtration

As the global energy sector pushes to reduce the cost of green hydrogen, PEM technology is front and center. Its scalability and compatibility with renewable energy sources make it a strong candidate for widespread adoption. But there’s a catch: the current cost of hydrogen produced via PEM electrolyzers hovers around $6.70/kg. That’s largely due to the high capital costs and the use of expensive materials, including platinum group metals.

To make PEM electrolyzers more economically viable, researchers are exploring several promising avenues. Advances in PEM electrolysis technology are focused on both electrolyzer design and the supporting systems required for hydrogen production, including:

• Reducing iridium loading in the oxygen evolution electrode
• Replacing Nafion membranes with lower-cost alternatives
• Developing new materials for the Porous Transport Layer (PTL)
• Improving manufacturing techniques for better scalability

But it’s not just about the core electrolyzer. The Balance of Plant (BOP), everything else that supports production, also needs optimization.

Water quality plays an important role in PEM electrolyzer performance and reliability. Because PEM systems require high-purity water, contaminants can affect membranes, catalysts and other system components. Filtration of the feed water plays a critical role in maintaining system performance and longevity. Impurities in water can wreak havoc:

• Metal ions and organics can degrade the membrane, reducing conductivity and lifespan.
• Catalyst poisoning (especially platinum and iridium) lowers efficiency and durability.
• Scaling and clogging from minerals and particulates lead to frequent maintenance.

To combat these issues, Reverse Osmosis (RO) and Electrodeionization (EDI) systems are used to generate high purity water. These units also need protection and Pall Corporation offers a variety of particulate filters for this purpose. Learn more about hydrogen filtration solutions here.

 Once hydrogen is produced, it’s saturated with water and contains free water droplets. These droplets must be removed to reduce loading of the de-oxo and dryer units. After compression using oil lubricated compressors, the lube oil must be removed before the hydrogen is used. Pall’s SepraSol® and SepraSol® Plus liquid/gas coalescers are designed to:

• Remove free water before and after de-oxo units, optimizing catalyst beds and dryers.
• Eliminate oil contamination after hydrogen compression, ensuring purity and protecting downstream equipment.

To explore this topic further, learn more about the contaminants introduced after electrolysis and the purification steps used throughout hydrogen production.

Looking Ahead

PEM electrolyzers are a cornerstone technology in the clean hydrogen landscape. As innovations in membrane materials, system integration and filtration continue to evolve, the industry moves closer to making green hydrogen more cost-competitive and widely accessible. Alongside electrolyzer advances, water treatment, contamination control and post-electrolysis filtration continue to play an important role in supporting hydrogen quality throughout the production process.

Pall Corporation remains committed to supporting this transition, offering filtration solutions that meet both current and emerging challenges in hydrogen production.