5. Electrolyzers

5.1 Cellular stacks

The production of large quantities of hydrogen and oxygen by electrolysis requires the combination of several individual cells in a compact filter-press stack. In a monopolar configuration (figure 20 a ), each electrode acts as anode or cathode on both sides (parallel connection), whereas in a bipolar configuration (figure 20 b ), each electrode acts as either anode or cathode on either side (series connection). The current – voltage characteristics of the power source available to supply the electrolyzer may lead to the choice of one or the other configuration. A disadvantage of...