Oxygen Generation/Management

Efficient, Safe Oxygen Gas Production

Water electrolyzers produce oxygen for applications such as breathing air maintenance in submarines and manned space missions. We have commercialized our submarine electrolyzer stacks and continue to improve the technology. Our DSM™ membrane technology offers superior durability and efficiency for oxygen generation, while our membrane characterization facilities and R&D personnel evaluate experimental membranes from outside sources with an eye to improving electrolyzer performance.

As manned space exploration re-emerges, we are working with NASA and their contractors to adapt our PEM technology to the requirements of living and working in a vacuum. Aerospace PEM technology has become lighter and more efficient as a result of recent work conducted for regenerative fuel cell applications. Now, high and low pressure breathing oxygen can be provided by PEM systems. Electrolyzer efficiency has been demonstrated such that the expenditure of less than 250 watts per crew member will provide sufficient oxygen for all tasks, including the oxygen for extravehicular activities (EVAs).

By simultaneously reducing it at one pressure and generating it at another, oxygen can be electrochemically pumped:

O2(Pressure 1) + 4 H+ + 4 electrons → 2 H2O 2 H2O → O2(Pressure 2) + 4 H+ + 4 electrons

O2(Pressure 1) →  O2(Pressure 2)

Similarly, oxygen can be electrochemically concentrated from air:

O2(Air) + 4 H+ + 4 electrons → 2 H2O 2 H2O → O2(Pure) + 4 H+ + 4 electrons

O2(Air) → O2(Pure)

Oxygen generation and management is useful in long term food preservation, as well as life science research applications.

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