Simplified Static Feed Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Refueling

ABSTRACT: The Air Force has a need for a robust, portable hydrogen generator for the refueling of metal hydride hydrogen fuel canisters used in portable electrical power systems. Giner Electrochemical Systems, LLC (GES) has developed a simplified, static-vapor-feed electrolyzer for energy storage and life-support oxygen generation in NASA applications. This system eliminates or greatly reduces in size much of the ancillary equipment that is used in traditional direct liquid-feed systems. These include large deionizing beds, recirculating pumps, phase separators, and driers. Reducing or eliminating these subsystems greatly reduces the size of the system while increasing robustness. This technology will be used in this Phase I program to build an electrolyzer sized for this application (9 g/h hydrogen at 500 psig). Qualification of the product hydrogen will be used to size post-electrolysis driers and/or polishers that may be necessary and a system prototype will be designed for Phase II. BENEFIT: Successful completion of the Phase I program will result in a static vapor phase electrolyzer with greatly simplified ancillary devices. These advantages are currently being sought by NASA to simplify electrolysis systems used in aerospace applications. Giner is the world"s largest supplier of laboratory electrolyzers for hydrogen generation, using traditional liquid-fed electrolysis. Utilization of this technology could greatly enhance the simplicity and reliability of these devices.