Development of solid polymer-electrolyte water electrolyser

Two series of 0.25m(2)x10 cells modules for solid-polymer-electrolyte water electrolysis were pur into operation. The first module was in operation for over 5,000 hours. Throughout the operation period, cell voltages in the module were stable and the scatter between the cells was below 10mV at 1x10(4)Am(-2). After operating the first module, we improved the method for Pt plating of a membrane-electrode composite in order to obtain a better electrolysis performance. For the second module, the specific energy consumption rated 4.1kWh/Nm(3)-H-2 at 1x10(4)Am-(2) (our target for 1999). According to these operational data, we reached the conditions required for scaling up the solid-polymer-electrolyte water electrolyser.