PEM Electrolyzer Performance & Degradation After 50,000+ Hours: Insights?

[vicola0769]

We're a PEM device manufacturer. I’m exploring the long-term durability of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers . While accelerated testing and short-term studies are abundant, data on real-world performance beyond 50,000 hours (~5.7 years of continuous operation) remains scarce.

Key Questions:
Degradation Patterns:

What are the dominant degradation mechanisms observed in PEM stacks after 50k hours (e.g., membrane thinning, catalyst dissolution, bipolar plate corrosion)?

How does voltage efficiency typically degrade? (e.g., >100 µV/h increase beyond 40k hours?)

Component Lifespan:
Which components fail first? (e.g., membranes, catalysts, porous transport layers).
Are there reported cases of stack/components exceeding 50k hours without major replacement?

Operational Experience:
How do operational strategies (e.g., dynamic load cycling, intermittent operation) impact longevity?
What maintenance/recovery protocols (e.g., chemical flushing, membrane hydration) extend lifetime?

Data & References:
Any known projects achieving this milestone? (e.g., pilot plants in EU/Japan).

Mitigation Strategies:
What design/material innovations show promise for extending lifespan (e.g., advanced catalysts, reinforced membranes)?