Catastrophic localized deflagration formation mechanisms and safety precautions in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer.

ABSTRACT: Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis attracts worldwide attention as a promising technology for green H₂ production and renewable energy storage, yet the safety considerations in the industrial-scale operations are largely overlooked. Herein, localized deflagration in 100 kW and 2 kW proton exchange membrane water electrolysis stacks are reported. Water-starvation induced by flow channel obstruction is identified as the cause of the incident. The incident is reproduced in single electrolyzers, with the membrane electrode assembly deflagration process captured in-situ and studied. Physicochemical analysis and simulations reveal that water-starvation reduces membrane conductivity by 100-fold, generating large Joule heating to elevate membrane electrode assembly temperature

SUBMITTER: Tan A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12521733 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature