Durable, Scalable and Recyclable Components and Cell Designs for Next Generation Alkaline Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis
DURALYS
The German-Italian DURALYS project is pursuing an integrative approach to make AEM electrolysers fit for industrial use. The focus is on the development of new, PFAS-free membranes and CRM-free HER and OER catalysts, whose properties are being comprehensively characterised using state-of-the-art analysis methods. In parallel, these materials are integrated into high-performance membrane electrode assemblies and manufactured using scalable coating and consolidation techniques. The resulting MEAs are then transferred into individual cells, which are tested by industrial partners and prepared for later scaling.
DLR contributes expertise in electrode coating and segmented cell technology in order to visualise local electrochemical processes during operation and to better understand degradation mechanisms. In addition, multi-scale models and life cycle analyses are used to quantify ecological and economic advantages compared to existing technologies. The aim of the project is to develop AEMEL systems that achieve stable performance with high efficiency, enable a specific energy consumption of around 50 kWh per kilogramme of hydrogen and thus pave the way to market maturity for this sustainable technology.
Aim of the project
The project develops CRM-free catalysts and PFAS-free membranes, integrates them into MEAs and validates them with advanced diagnostics to bring durable and scalable AEM electrolysis systems to prototype maturity.
DURALYS at a glance
Project
DURALYS – Durable, Scalable and Recyclable Components and Cell Designs for Next Generation Alkaline Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis
Duration
1.12.2024 - 30.11.2027
Project participants
Institut für Technische Thermodynamik
Research Center Jülich GmbH, Jülich – Institute of Energy Technologies (IET-1: Fundamental Electrochemistry)
University of Padova, Padova – Department of Industrial Engineering (DIT)
Technical University of Berlin, Berlin
RWTH Aachen University, Aachen
FEV Group GmbH, Aachen
Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria, Reggio Calabria
University of Milano-Bicocca, Milan
Sapienza University of Rome, Rome
Università della Calabria, Cosenza
Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Rome
Politecnico di Milano, Milan
Cinel Gas Generators S.r.l., Vigonza (PD)
Funding
Funded by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) and the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR).
Contact
Prof. Dr. rer.nat. K. Andreas Friedrich
Head of Department Electrochemical Energy Technology
