Proton Exchange Membrane(PEM) based Green Hydrogen project

In line with the National Hydrogen Mission, GAIL (India) Limited has awarded a contract to set up one of the largest Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser in India. The project is being installed at GAIL’s Vijaipur Complex and would be based on renewable power. The Project has been designed to produce around 4.3 Metric Tons of Hydrogen per day (approx. 10 MW capacity) with a purity of about 99.999%. In line with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat, the project has been awarded to a vendor having a domestic value addition of more than 50 percent.

What is Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Electrolyser?

• Hydrogen is the most efficient energy carrier.
• Hydrogen can be obtained from different sources of raw materials including water.
• Among many hydrogen production methods, eco-friendly and high purity of hydrogen can be obtained by water electrolysis.
• However, in terms of sustainability and environmental impact, PEM water electrolysis was considered as most promising techniques.

• PEM produces high pure efficient hydrogen from renewable energy sources and emits only oxygen as by-product without any carbon emissions.
• Moreover, the produced hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) can be directly used for fuel cell and industrial applications.
• PEM electrolysis creates a reaction using an ionically conductive solid polymer, rather than a liquid.
• When voltage is applied between two electrodes, negatively charged oxygen in the water molecules gives its electron, resulting in protons, electrons, and O2 at the anode.
• The H+ ions travel through the proton-conducting polymer towards the cathode, where they take an electron and become neutral H atoms.
• These combine to make H2 at the cathode.