Table of Contents
What is the difference between proton exchange membrane and polymer electrolyte membrane?
Polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis is a technique by which proton-exchange membranes are used to decompose water into hydrogen and oxygen gas. The proton-exchange membrane allows for the separation of produced hydrogen from oxygen, allowing either product to be exploited as needed.
Why is it important that the polymer membrane in a PEM fuel cell?
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells employ a polymer membrane with acid side groups to conduct protons from the anode to cathode. Water management in the fuel cell is critical for PEM fuel cell operation. The product water is absorbed into the PEM, or evaporates into the gas streams at the anode and cathode.
What are PEM fuel cells used for?
PEM fuel cells are the best candidates for powering automobiles. They can also be used for stationary power production. However, due to their low operating temperature, they cannot directly use hydrocarbon fuels, such as natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or ethanol.
What is the electrolyte in PEM?
The PEM electrolyzer was introduced to overcome the issues of partial load, low current density, and low pressure operation currently plaguing the alkaline electrolyzer….
| Polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis | |
|---|---|
| Current density | 0.6-2.0 mA/cm2 |
| Cell voltage | 1.75-2.20 V |
| Power density | to 4.4 W/cm2 |
| Part-load range | 0-10\% |
What is a PEM fuel cell made of?
PEM fuel cells are low temperature fuel cells that use a solid polymer in the form of a solid phase proton conducting membrane as an electrolyte which eliminate the need to contain corrosive liquids.
What does PEM stand for fuel cell?
Polymer electrolyte membrane
Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are the current focus of research for fuel cell vehicle applications. PEM fuel cells are made from several layers of different materials.
How does a PEM electrolyser work?
In a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer, the electrolyte is a solid specialty plastic material. Water reacts at the anode to form oxygen and positively charged hydrogen ions (protons). The electrons flow through an external circuit and the hydrogen ions selectively move across the PEM to the cathode.
What is the difference between PEM and alkaline?
The structure of the PEM electrolyzer is similar to that of the alkaline electrolyzer. The main difference is the use of a thin film-electrode assembly (also known as a membrane electrode) to form a zero-pole spacing[4].