YEST developing AEM electrolysis machine

Fab equipment maker YEST was currently developing an anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolysis machine, TheElec has learned.

The move is seen as the company’s attempt to enter the so-called ‘green hydrogen’ business, where hydrogen is produced without carbon emission.

South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy had announced earlier this year that it will aim to increase green hydrogen production to 250,000 metric tonnes by 2030.

AEM water electrolysis machine, or electrolyzer, uses electricity to divide oxygen and hydrogen in water and extracts the hydrogen.

Unlike extracting hydrogen from natural gas or LPG, this process doesn’t emit carbon.

AEM uses the ion separator as an electrolyte and uses relatively cheaper metals as catalysts.

They also activate at low power, making them more efficient than solid oxide exchange membrane or proton exchange membrane.

However, making of AEM electrolyzer requires advanced technology. Only Germany’s Enapter has succeeded in commercializing the technology.

YEST to was currently collaborating with various companies and institutes with related technologies for the development of the machine.