DEVELOPMENT STATUS OF AN ADVANCED ELECTROLYZER

EDF and ACB (Gec Alsthom Group) have cooperated since 1980 in the deve lopment of a large industrial electrolyser which is designed to supply hydrogen under the best possible economic conditions by using offpeak electric power. Preliminary tests on a 30 kW laboratory unit were run to determine the feasibility of industrial cells working at 30 bar, 1 30-degrees-C and under a 1 A cm-2 current density. First industrial te sts started in 1987 on a full-scale module of 120 cells (2.4 MW). New tests were run in 1990 on an industrial electrolyser of 20 MW (eight m odules). These tests showed different results from previous experience . It was therefore decided to run laboratory investigations on them an d simultaneously to review the overall economic balance of the design, and possible improvements to it, by a systematic value analysis metho d. Some of the corresponding research and results are described: Evalu ation of new polymers for cell frame manufacture. Research on diaphrag ms (separators). Numerical hydraulic model of the complete circuit. Th e updated economics of the improved design are given. New industrial t ests are in progress.