Evaluation of materials and components degradation of a PEM electrolyzer for marine applications

An investigation of components degradation in a polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolyzer technology for naval application is carried out. In naval applications, an electrolyzer has to work using treated seawater obtained on board. Electrolyzer performance is evaluated in terms of hydrogen production per unit of electrical energy input starting from a seawater desalination plant simulating the conditions on board of the ship. A desalinator plant, tailored for the specific application, is designed to produce water having a low ionic conductivity (