The emerging hydrogen technologies rely heavily on Everflon™ fluoropolymers, including membranes used in electrolysis (proton exchange membranes – PEM, alkaline electrolysers – AEL, anionic exchange membrane electrolysers – AEMEL), compressors used in biomass gasification and biogas or methane reforming, as well as in hydrogen storage and transport applications (valves, sealing and pipes). More specifically, applications of fluoropolymers in hydrogen technologies include:
◼ As membrane in Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), as binder material, bipolar plates, ionomer and membrane support in proton exchange membrane electrolyser (PEMEL) stacks, gas drying units in H2 conditioning, electrolyte pumps and valves in a PEMEL system.
◼ As seals, membranes, diaphragms in AEL stacks and gas drying units in H2 conditioning, electrolyte pumps and valves in an AEL system.
◼ As membrane in MEA in AEMEL stacks, as membrane ionomer, cell frames and seals in stacks and also in the gas drying unit.
◼ In air or oxygen compression units and CO2 separation units used in biogas or methane reforming and biomass or waste gasification units.
◼ In several applications in storage (compressed or storage) and transport of gaseous and liquid hydrogen. Fluoropolymers can be used as liners of pressurised cylinders, as pipe seals and fittings, as sealing in hydrogenation and dehydrogenation systems, in pumps, in transfer arms in liquid hydrogen transfer systems, etc.
◼ Membranes, ionomer, membrane support in PEM fuel cell (PEMFC) MEA; ionomer in PEMFC catalyst layer; Gas diffusion layer (GDL), bipolar plates and seals in PEMFC stack; diaphragms and seals in liquid pumps.
◼ As components and sealing in turbines, burners and boilers using hydrogen fuel.
