Electrolyzers, while primarily designed to produce high-purity hydrogen, also generate oxygen by splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen. Due to oxygen's highly reactive nature, special precautions are necessary when designing, constructing, and operating the oxygen side of an electrolyser plant to ensure safety.

Oxygen, a non-metallic element, readily forms oxides through oxidation reactions, which can lead to fires. In an electrolyser, the oxygen produced is nearly 100% pure, significantly increasing the risk of combustion and even explosions with materials that are typically stable under normal atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to design systems that can safely handle elevated oxygen levels to prevent catastrophic fire events.

In this presentation, we’ll review key aspects related to oxygen production and handling when designing an electrolyzer.