Design, Scale-Up, and Integration of an Ammonia Electrolytic Cell with a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

by Biradar, Mahesh B.

The design and performance of an alkaline ammonia electrolyzer for hydrogen production and its feasibility for fuel cell applications is presented. Pt based C-paper electrodes were used in the ammonia electrolytic cell (AEC). The separator electrode assembly design (SEA) for the AEC comprised of end plates, end electrode plates, separator plates, the Pt-Ir electrodes, gaskets, and the membrane/separator. The operating procedure for the designed electrolyzer was established. The electrochemical performance of the 9-cell AEC was evaluated at 25°C and 55°C. A Faradaic efficiency of 97.55 ± 0.04 % was obtained on the hydrogen gas produced from the designed electrolyzer. Including the prevailing ohmic losses, a net energy of 4.10 ± 0.97 W h g-1H2 and 6.10 ± 0.97 W h g-1H2 with an energy conversion efficiency of 23.62 ± 0.36 % and 39.71 ± 0.69 % at 25°C and 55°C respectively were achieved from the AEC-PEM fuel cell integration. The results prove the scalability and potential of ammonia electrolysis as a novel and alternative hydrogen production process for PEM fuel cell applications, which would help realize the goal of green hydrogen economy in true sense.