Customer
ARIEMA Enerxía e Medioambiente S.L., a Spanish company specialized in the design, manufacture, and integration of green hydrogen systems, with extensive experience in alkaline electrolyzers for industrial and energy applications.
Background
Alkaline electrolyzers operate with potassium hydroxide (KOH) electrolyte in a closed-loop circuit. The cleanliness and purity of this electrolyte are critical factors in ensuring safe, efficient, and stable system operation.
The presence of solid particles in the KOH electrolyte originating from manufacturing processes, internal corrosion, carryover during commissioning, or maintenance interventions can lead to:
- Damage and premature wear of internal electrolyzer components.
- Blockages in piping, distributors, and separators.
- Increased unplanned shutdowns.
- Performance losses and reduced electrolyzer service life.
For this reason, ARIEMA identified the need to incorporate a simple and reliable filtration solution directly into the KOH electrolyte circuit in order to protect the electrolyzer from solid contaminants.
System Requirements
For this application, ARIEMA defined the following key requirements:
- Effective filtration of solid particles in KOH electrolyte.
- Full chemical compatibility with concentrated alkaline solutions.
- Simple, robust, and highly reliable design.
- Easy and safe manual maintenance.
- Easy integration into the electrolyzer skid.
- Minimal pressure drop and continuous operation without impacting availability.
Solution
To meet these requirements, several simplex manual filters, model 1.12.2, were supplied and installed in the KOH electrolyte circuit upstream of the electrolyzer.
The filter acts as a permanent mechanical barrier, retaining solid particles and contaminants present in the electrolyte before they can reach the internal components of the electrolyzer. The filtration grade was specifically selected to ensure system protection without negatively affecting flow rate or the hydraulic stability of the circuit.
The simplicity of the design allows for quick visual inspection and safe maintenance, in line with the philosophy of compact and robust systems.
Benefits:
The integration of the simplex filter 1.12.2 into the KOH electrolyte circuit provides the following benefits:
- Direct protection of the electrolyzer against solid particles.
- Significant reduction in the risk of internal failures and unplanned shutdowns.
- Greater operational stability of the electrolysis process.
- Simple, fast, and low-cost maintenance.
- Extended service life of the electrolyzer and its critical components.
Thanks to this solution, ARIEMA strengthens the reliability and robustness of its alkaline electrolysis systems, ensuring stable operation even under prolonged operating conditions.
System Used
- Filter type: Simplex manual filter, model 1.12.2, sizes DN 25, DN 50, and DN 65
- Fluid: KOH electrolyte
- Housing material: Stainless steel 1.4408, compatible with KOH
- Filter element: Stainless steel
- Gaskets: PTFE
- Filtration grade: 10 µm (depending on system design)
- Function: Electrolyzer protection
