An electrolyser is a device that uses electricity to facilitate a chemical reaction known as electrolysis. In this process, an electric current is passed through an electrolyte, a solution containing ions, to produce a chemical reaction that separates the ions into their constituent elements or compounds.
Electrolysers are commonly used to produce hydrogen gas from water, a process known as water electrolysis. In this process, an electric current is passed through a solution of water and an electrolyte, usually an alkali metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide. This reaction splits the water molecules into their constituent hydrogen and oxygen atoms, which are then collected as hydrogen gas and oxygen gas, respectively.
Electrolysers can also be used to produce other chemicals through electrolysis, including chlorine gas, sodium hydroxide, and other metal compounds. They are used in a variety of industries, including the production of chemicals, electronics, and renewable energy technologies.
Production of Electrolyser will be a major thrust area of SIGHT (Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition
Programme) which is part National Hydrogen Mission launched in 2023.