BluPEM-EL

The BioLogic BluPEM-EL is a turnkey test station designed specifically for the characterization and testing of PEM water electrolysis (PEM electrolyzer) cells. PEM electrolysis is the electrochemical splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen using a proton exchange membrane, and represents a key technology for green hydrogen production. The BluPEM-EL provides all the hardware and software integration needed to rigorously characterize PEM electrolyzer cells in a laboratory setting.

The BluPEM-EL integrates a precision liquid water delivery system with flow control and temperature regulation for the anode (oxygen evolution) and cathode (hydrogen evolution) sides, independent back pressure regulators for the H2 and O2 gas streams exiting the cell, and a high-current galvanostat/potentiostat with built-in FRA for electrochemical control and characterization. In PEM electrolysis, operation is current-controlled (the cell is driven at a defined current to produce H2), so the galvanostat mode is central; the potentiostat mode and FRA enable diagnostic measurements.

The standard characterization measurements supported by the BluPEM-EL include polarization curves (cell voltage vs. current density) that characterize the electrolyzer’s energy efficiency across its operating range; electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at various current densities to deconvolute membrane proton resistance, anode charge transfer (OER kinetics), cathode charge transfer (HER kinetics), and mass transport contributions; chronopotentiometry and chronoamperometry for accelerated degradation and stability testing; and cyclic voltammetry for catalyst surface area characterization.

NewRoad provides the BioLogic BluPEM-EL in Israel for laboratories developing and evaluating MEAs, iridium-based OER catalysts, platinum-based HER catalysts, membrane materials, and coated porous transport layers (PTLs) for green hydrogen production applications.