GB/T 45539-2025Technical requirements of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer (English PDF)

3.1 Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer

An electrochemical device that uses a proton exchange membrane as the electrolyte and pure water as the reactant, and electrolyzes water with direct current to produce hydrogen and oxygen at the cathode electrode and anode electrode, respectively.

NOTE. A PEM electrolyzer includes components such as a proton exchange membrane, a catalyst layer, a porous transport layer, bipolar plates, and seals. It is usually composed of several sets of the above components connected in series or in series-parallel.

3.2 Proton exchange membrane; PEM

A polymer electrolyte membrane in which protons are used as conductive charge.

3.3 Membrane electrode assembly; MEA

An assembly consisting of a proton exchange membrane, and an anode catalyst layer and a cathode catalyst layer respectively placed on either side of the membrane.

3.4 Porous transport layer

A porous substrate that is placed between the catalyst layer and the electrode plate to

3.21 Variable load speed

The percentage of the current value loaded between the anode and cathode of the electrolyzer within a unit of time to the rated current value.

3.22 Current density

The current passing through a unit of active area of an electrode.

NOTE. Active area refers to the effective reaction area covered by the membrane electrode catalyst.

When the anode and cathode areas are inconsistent, the smaller area shall prevail.

3.23 Rated current density

The current density of a PEM electrolyzer operating continuously under rated working conditions.

3.24 Rated hydrogen generation rate

The nominal hourly hydrogen production volume under standard state of the electrolyzer.

NOTE. It is also known as the nominal hydrogen production rate.

3.25 Maximum single cell voltage value difference

The difference between the highest and lowest voltage values in each individual electrolyte cell of the electrolyzer.

NOTE. It is abbreviated as single-cell voltage range. A single electrolyte cell is also called a single cell or electrolytic chamber.

3.26 Direct current power consumption

The amount of DC electricity consumed to produce one unit volume of hydrogen.

5.1 General provisions

5.1.1 The structure and operating parameters of the PEM electrolyzer shall be capable

of producing hydrogen by electrolyzing water with direct current and producing gas that meets the requirements.

5.1.2 The design of PEM electrolyzers shall meet the requirements of voltage resistance,

insulation, prevention of out-leakage/internal infiltration, and adaptability to environmental conditions.

5.1.3 The pressure resistance of the PEM electrolyzer shall meet the requirements of

the rated hydrogen generation pressure.

5.1.4 The ambient temperature of the PEM electrolyzer should be 5 °C~45 °C.

5.1.5 The operating temperature of the PEM electrolyzer should be less than or equal to 90 °C.

5.1.6 PEM electrolyzers shall be operated or placed in a clean, frost-free, dew-free,

water leakage-free, rain-free, well-ventilated, fire-free environment equipped with necessary gaseous hydrogen leakage detection devices and anti-static facilities.

5.1.7 The conductivity of the feed water for the PEM electrolyzer shall be less than or equal to 0.1 mS/m and meet the requirements of GB/T 37562.

5.1.8 The insulation structure design between the charged and non-charged conductive

parts of the PEM electrolyzer shall comply with the relevant requirements of GB/T 24343 and GB/T 29411.

5.1.9 The hydrogen production control system should be equipped with a single-cell

voltage alarm value, and the interlock protection program shall be activated when the voltage of a single cell exceeds the limit.

5.1.10 Manufacturers shall propose relevant operating protection value setting

requirements for the safe operation of PEM electrolyzers, and the hydrogen production control system shall have setting alarm and interlock protection functions for oxygen in hydrogen, hydrogen in oxygen, pressure, temperature, liquid level, water quality requirements, etc.

5.1.11 In the room where the PEM electrolyzer is installed, a hydrogen concentration

detection and alarm device shall be installed at the highest point or the point where hydrogen is most likely to accumulate, and shall comply with the requirements of GB 50177.

5.2 Structure and appearance

5.2.1 The PEM electrolyzer is assembled from core components such as end plates,

insulation plates, current collector plates, bipolar plates, porous transport layers, and membrane electrode assemblies. A typical structural diagram of the PEM electrolyzer is shown in Appendix A.

5.2.2 The structure of the PEM electrolyzer shall be able to withstand temperature, gas flow rate and pressure fluctuations within the nominal working condition stated by the manufacturer.

5.2.3 Interface fittings, fasteners and seals shall be easy to maintain and replace.

5.2.4 Sufficient space shall be provided for the installation of gas and water pipe flange fasteners to facilitate the disassembly, assembly, and replacement of fasteners.

5.2.5 The gas and water pipeline interfaces and electrical interfaces of the PEM

electrolyzer shall meet the relevant design requirements and satisfy the needs of installation, operation and maintenance.

5.2.6 The appearance of the PEM electrolyzer shall at least meet the following

requirements.

a) The outer surface of the electrolyzer is free of scratches, cracks, oil stains, paint stains, and other contaminants.

b) The mating surfaces of each individual cell functional component are neat, symmetrical, and without misalignment.

c) The surface of the metal parts containing the coating shows no obvious mechanical damage.

d) Fasteners are securely connected and not loose.

e) The connecting wires are properly soldered or crimped.

f) If a voltage monitoring line is available, the monitoring line makes good contact with the electrode plate.

g) Water and gas interface fittings are securely connected and not loose.

h) If the PEM electrolyzer is designed with an external protective structure, it has good insulation, ventilation and heat dissipation, corrosion resistance and mechanical strength, and does not obstruct the PEM electrolyzer markings and ......