The objective of the laboratory is to optimize and to foster the alkaline electrolysis technology in all key issues to get it introduced in the market.
AREAS
- Alkaline electrolysis component and cell research. Electrochemical, thermal and fluid-dynamic studies, including the development of mathematic models to describe the performance of single cells and its experimental validation.
- Alkaline electrolysis stacks and systems research. Characterization, experimentation and validation of alkaline electrolysis stacks and systems. Development and optimization of Balance of Plants (BoP).
EQUIPMENT
STACKS TEST BENCH UP TO 15 KW
- Stacks up to 50 cells (0-500 A, 0-120V).
- High pressure testing for cells (up to 30 bar).
- Measure of voltage per cell.
- Possibility of natural or forced recirculation.
- Automatic control system that allows long-life and accelerated life tests.
- Simulation of renewable energy profiles to test cell performance analysis.
ALKALINE ELECTROLYSIS CELLS TEST BENCH
- Thermal and fluid-dynamic characterization cells.
- Set up of different operational conditions for cells and small stacks up to 150W to obtain polarization curves.
- Response under renewable profiles.
- Transparent cells for direct visualization of the flow (PIV system). Biphasic combination studies.
- Mathematic model development to describe polarization curves and its experimental validation.
TEST STATION FOR SYSTEMS UP TO 100 KW
- Performance tests of electrolysis systems up to 60 Nm3/h hydrogen production.
- Facility for study and optimization of balance of plants (BoP).
- Integration of electrolysis in a micro grid based on renewable energies.
MULTICHANNEL POTENTIOSTAT-GALVANOSTAT
- With six channels aimed for electrochemical techniques: I-V curves, chronoamperometry and EIS.
- Devices specifically designed to determine membrane and diaphragm ionic resistivity.
- 5-cell stack with different settings for component testing
SERVICES
COMPONENT AND CELL LEVEL
- Electrode characterization by electrochemical techniques.
- Electrode kinetic studies.
- Determination of ionic resistivity of membranes and diaphragms used in alkaline electrolysis.
- Polarization curves, chronoamperometry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).
- Response of electrolysis cells under renewable profiles.
- Thermal and fluid-dynamic characterization of alkaline electrolysis cells.
- Rapid prototyping with 3D printer.
- Degradation and corrosion studies.
SYSTEM AND STACK LEVEL
- Performance evaluation and characterization.
- Long-term and accelerated life test.
- Degradation analysis. Determination of durability and life-time.
- Testing and system validation under ISO 22734.
- Study and optimization of balance of plant (BoP).
- Design and construction of alkaline electrolysis test benches.
