NREL High-Pressure Low-Temperature PEM Electrolysis Cell with 4 cm2 Surface Area

NREL High-Pressure Low-Temperature PEM Electrolysis Cell with 4 cm2 Surface Area

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Introduction

This cell is developed by National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL, now National Laboratory of the Rockies) High-Pressure Low-Temperature Electrolysis (LTE) Cell is on open-source cell hardware designed for repeated reassembly. This work was planned and funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s H2NEW consortium.

Redox.me offers a 25 cm² PEM variant produced based on the technical documentation from NREL, as well as other variants developed by redox.me according to NREL guidelines. In the former, the flow field pattern is directly translated from 25 cm² PEM variant. The dissemination of these products aims to facilitate easy access to this equipment for a wide range of users. However, if you have the capability to produce the 25 cm² PEM variant on your own, we encourage you to use the open-source files. It may turn out that if you have access to your own technical resources, this will be a more cost-effective option. 3D CAD models and 2D technical drawings for variant 25 cm² PEM are available for download. 

Key Features

• Reduced Operating Costs via High-Pressure Operation
  Enables direct electrochemical production of pressurized hydrogen, minimizing or eliminating the need for downstream mechanical compression and improving overall system efficiency.
• Flexible Operating Pressure
  Compatible with both high-pressure and ambient-pressure low-temperature electrolysis (LTE), allowing adaptation to different research and operational requirements.
• Adjustable Cell Configuration
  Supports porous transport layers (PTLs) of varying thickness by modifying gasket configuration, enabling precise control over cell architecture and experimental conditions.
• Broad Testing Compatibility
  Smaller active area cells (1 cm² and 4 cm²) are compatible with standard potentiostats and boosters, facilitating accessible and cost-effective experimentation.
• Scalable Power Requirements
  Accommodates a wide range of current densities—from low-current lab testing to high-performance operation (up to 6 A/cm²) using a programmable DC power supply.
• Enhanced Experimental Flexibility
  Modular design supports diverse setups, making the system suitable for both fundamental studies and advanced performance testing.

Application note

The documents and drawings linked below outline the design of low-temperature electrolysis hardware that is intended to meet leak testing standards as per ASME B31.1. They also provide comprehensive cell assembly instructions and a procedure for performance benchmarking. The responsibility for safe operation at both ambient and elevated pressures lies solely with the end user, and each individual cell should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. The sealing effectiveness may be influenced by factors such as machining quality, components used in cell assembly, operating conditions, and the operational history. Pressure operations should only be conducted on qualified test stands by trained operators.
Wrubel, Jacob, Samantha Ware, Corey Schaffer, Matt Allen, Ellis Klein, Robin Rice, Chaiwat Engtrakul, and Guido Bender. 2023. "NREL 25-cm2 High-Pressure Low-Temperature Electrolysis Cell Hardware (Open Source)." NREL Data Catalog. Golden, CO: National Renewable Energy Laboratory. https://doi.org/10.7799/2205626 

Specifications

Cell

Temperature Sensor

Adhesive-Backed Pad Heater

Fittings