SE100K-PE Stack Test Station (100 kW) for PEM Water Electrolyser Stacks

Overview

The SE100K-PE Stack Test Station is a floor-standing PEM water electrolyser (PEMWE) balance-of-plant and control platform designed to characterise and validate short stacks and full stacks up to 100 kW. It combines high-power DC delivery, deionised-water management, gas handling and safety logic in a single integrated system (1500 (W) × 3000 (D) × 2200 (H) mm), enabling repeatable performance and durability testing under controlled conditions.

Principle of operation

Deionised water is circulated to the anode side of the PEM electrolyser stack. Under programmed current or voltage control, water is oxidised to oxygen, protons and electrons. Protons migrate through the polymer electrolyte membrane to the cathode where hydrogen is generated, while electrons flow through the external circuit. The station measures electrical, thermal, hydraulic and gas variables to quantify polarisation behaviour, efficiency and stability.

Key capabilities (typical)

• Power: up to 100 kW, supporting constant-current and constant-voltage operation
• Gas flow metering: H₂ up to 500 slpm and O₂ up to 250 slpm, with wide turndown for low-to-high load testing
• Water loop control: circulation, filtration, level control and alarms; temperature control from ambient to ~95 °C
• Pressure management: automatic back-pressure control options (e.g., 10–30 bar class) with stable regulation for steady-state protocols
• Gas conditioning & safety: gas cooling/condensation trap, dryer with dew-point monitoring, and automated N₂ purge (anode/cathode)
• Diagnostics options: multi-channel cell voltage monitoring and optional AC-impedance/HFR capability for stack health tracking
  
  

Typical applications

Stack commissioning, catalyst/MEA screening at system scale, start–stop and load-cycling protocols, crossover monitoring (H₂ in O₂ / O₂ in H₂), and long-duration durability validation.

Integration & compatibility

The SE100K-PE can be deployed alongside potentiostats/galvanostats for complementary diagnostics, gas analysis for purity/crossover verification, and fuel cell test stations for reversible-cell development. ScienceGears supports Australian and New Zealand teams with product selection guidance, integration planning and technical enablement for electrochemistry and hydrogen research workflows.