Proton Exchange Membrane Stack Module Development

Nel Hydrogen (Nel), a global hydrogen electrolyzer company, selected Coffman to develop their Proton Exchange Membrane Stack Module (PSM), a next-generation, repeatable, 10 MW hydrogen production platform intended to be used as a building block for megawatt scale hydrogen production plants. Coffman took the PSM from initial concept, all the way through product development, detailed design, and fabrication support.

The joint Nel and Coffman team performed an in-depth analysis of Minimum Functional Objectives to be included in the PSM to maximize value to the owner and allow adaptation to particular sites and applications. A systems design approach optimized the scope to implement Nel’s leading cell stack technology, while not duplicating scope that an owner/operator would complete.

The project included the design of electrolysis production systems, system layout optimization, material and equipment selection, international regulatory and code compliance planning, and a novel fabrication plan to reduce cost and risk while minimizing delivery and installation time. The design included process piping, structural, instrumentation, communications, HVAC, and power distribution systems. Coffman leveraged Nel’s previous electrolysis systems and cell stack models to bolster a practical but significant improvement that drives toward market-leading cost, footprint, integration risk, and overall performance.

Rendering: Coffman Engineers with Permission from Nel Hydrogen