Energy technology company Enapter AG (Enapter) is expanding its product portfolio with its new AEM Flex 120 electrolyser, designed for the streamlined launch of industrial and refuelling pilot projects.
Designed for rapid launch of low-cost green hydrogen projects, the electrolyser aims to meet high demand from industry for green hydrogen production needs from 70-500 kW (kilowatts).
Equipped with up to 50 AEM Stack core modules, the technology produces around 53kg of hydrogen per day at 99.999% purity with optional dryer, according to Enapter.
German brick producer ABC-Klinker signed up to become the first customer for the AEM Flex 120 after opting for the device to counter natural gas price fluctuations by blending green hydrogen into their furnace gas mix.
The AEM Flex 120
The company has also seen interest from sectors that are looking to replace fossil fuel use in furnaces and ovens, such as tiles, ceramics and glass production.
Further interest has been shown from companies involved in forklift, car and bus refuelling stations in addition to electricity storage for peak shaving and energy self-sufficiency.
Calling the AEM Flex 120 an ‘excellent addition’ to its existing product portfolio, Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, CEO of Enapter, said, “It is a self-contained and ready-to-use product that allows industrial companies and energy developers to quickly start producing green hydrogen.”
The company highlighted the skid-mounted product’s ability to integrate into customer environments and the possibility to later add production capacity.
“Thanks to its flexibility, the AEM Flex 120 can be adapter to individual customer needs and can thus be used in almost all sectors,” added Schmidt.
What is AEM electrolysis?
An AEM (Anion Exchange Membrane) electrolyser is a type of electrolysis device that utilizes an anion exchange membrane to split water (H2O) into its constituent elements, hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2), through an electrochemical process.
Unlike traditional proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis, which uses a cation exchange membrane, AEM electrolysis operates at alkaline conditions and allows for the production of high-purity hydrogen with enhanced safety and efficiency.
The shift towards sustainability in brickmaking has seen companies undertake various trials and initiatives.
In Europe, companies such as leading brick manufacturer Wienerberger have conducted trials using green hydrogen to fire their kilns.
In its Sustainability Program 2023, the company laid out its plan to reduce specific carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by 15% by 2023 as compared to 2020.
“Our long-term goal is to implement the European Green Deal. We want to make Wienerberger climate neutral by 2050 at the latest, said Johannes Rath, CTO at Wienerberger Building Solutions.
Similar initiatives have been undertaken in Australia, where Brickworks Building Products joined forces with Perth-based Murdoch University to take part in the Brickworks Hydrogen Feasibility Study, which explores the use of hydrogen as a kiln fuel in the manufacture of clay bricks.
