Aleksandar D. Maksic

A comparison of alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers

Faraday efficiencies and energy consumptions of a small commercial proton exchange membrane (PEM) and an alkaline electrolyzer designed at our laboratory and equipped with different cathode materials were determined. Our experimental data indicate that the alkaline electrolyzer has a higher Faraday efficiency than the PEM electrolyzer, but, on the other hand, less energy is required for the PEM electrolyzer compared with the alkaline one. The results are discussed with regard to the special advantages of electrolyzers of both types.