A High-Pressure Gasket With an Innovative Design for PEM Electrolyzers.

Lock: Cross-section of the gasket during the assembly process into the groove of the cell frame. The retaining features on both sides hold the gasket in place. 

Different forms of electrolysis are suited to various purposes. Electrolyzers with a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) stand out for their fast cold starts and quick response times. For example, they are especially suited to applications where electric current has to be drawn off in the shortest possible time. That’s the case with electricity from wind turbines, whose output naturally fluctuates. PEM electrolyzers have a market share of about 30% worldwide, and that percentage is rising – not least of all because the underlying technology is becoming more mature.

The Problem

Gaskets in PEM electrolyzers are important safety components. After all, they seal off electrolytic cells from one another, ensuring that the gaps in bipolar plates are sealed. They also prevent gases and liquid media from escaping into the environment. Standard gaskets like those used in the automotive industry are totally unsuited for electrolyzers due to the increased pressures that are involved. To seal the cells against each other, the gaskets must be inserted into grooves in the cell frame. The gasket’s instability in the groove turned out to be a drawback at high pressures.