Session: CS-07-04 Recent Developments in ASME Codes and Standards-4

Paper Number: 123021

123021 - An Overview of Codes and Standards for Electrolyzer Applications 

An electrolyzer is a device that uses an electric current to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen gases. The hydrogen gas can be stored as either compressed gas or liquefied. The oxygen created is released back into the air or captured and stored to supply to other industrial processes.

Hydrogen produced in this sustainable way, i.e., without emitting carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, can be the basis for a decarbonized energy economy.

Electrolyzers can be used for energy storage by converting excess electricity from renewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and hydropower, into hydrogen gas. The gas can then be compressed, stored and used as needed.

The basic form of an electrolyzer unit contains an electrolytic cell with two electrodes – a cathode (negative charge) and an anode (positive charge) – and a membrane. An electrolyzer system contains the electrolyzer cell stacks, pumps, vents, storage tanks, a power supply, a separator and other operating components.

This presentation will provide an overview of key codes and standards relating to electrolyzers. It will highlight similarities and differences between requirements published in ASME Section VIII, Division 1 Code Case 3078, ANSI/CSA 22734, NFPA 2, and applicable ISO and IEC documents. The discussion will highlight testing requirements that are designed to ensure safety.

The presentation will also introduce efforts to develop requirements for operation of water electrolysis systems coupled with the electricity distribution grid and/or fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy sources (RES) in a dynamic mode, as well as IEC standards for fuel cell modules in reverse mode.

The presentation will concentrate on design considerations, materials requirements, and pressure testing requirements.

Presenting Author: Karen Quackenbush FCHEA

Presenting Author Biography: Karen has provided technical expertise to the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association since its inception in 2010. Prior to then, she worked with a number of national and international hydrogen and fuel cell associations, with a focus on safety, codes and standards.

Karen has twenty-six years of experience managing working groups developing draft guidelines and requirements for inclusion in codes and standards on national and international levels. She has served as working group convenor for ISO/TC 197 (Hydrogen Technologies) and IEC/TC 105 (Fuel Cell Technologies), and actively participates in the development of national and international safety codes and standards for fuel cells and hydrogen energy technologies.

Education

John Hopkins University 2000
• M.S. Environmental Science and Policy
Ohio State University 1989
• B.S. Welding Engineering

Authors:

Karen Quackenbush FCHEA
Jitesh Panicker Electric Hydrogen