Energy, H₂ & Electrolysis

Green hydrogen – energy carrier of the future

Hydrogen is regarded as the energy carrier of the future. The growing hydrogen industry offers promising prospects, for example in the areas of energy supply, transport, and mobility.

Sustainably produced “green” hydrogen is usually generated through electrolysis. The production process should rely exclusively on energy from renewable sources. For the generation and efficient use of hydrogen, Dorstener Drahtwerke manufactures product solutions for a wide range of applications.

Hydrogen & Electrolysis

Innovative material solutions for efficient energy and electrolysis systems.

The energy transition requires high-performance and durable materials. We weave wires into fine meshes, whether made of nickel, titanium, stainless steel alloys, or other special materials. Our woven wire meshes, fiber felts and laminates can be flexibly designed in their properties while remaining highly durable.

These metallic structures make a decisive contribution to the efficiency of modern electrolysis systems – especially in hydrogen production.

Main focus: electrolysis

Woven wire mesh, laminates and fiber felts are used in electrolysis as functional components – including as power distributors, carriers of catalytically active layers, as well as gas diffusion layers (GDL) or porous transport layers (PTL).

Thanks to precisely defined structures, our solutions enable uniform power density and optimal mass transport.

Woven wire wesh, laminates and fiber felts

• High homogeneity and precision due to variable weave patterns and tight tolerances
• Optimal permeability for fast and efficient gas transport (PTL / GDL)
• Uniform media distribution through precisely defined cross-sections
• Gentle contact surface – reduces the risk of membrane damage and contamination
• Precise thickness control in the micrometer range
• Mechanically robust and flexible
• Wide range of materials, e.g. nickel, stainless steel or titanium

Material solutions & Product concepts

Mesh as a functional system

Woven wire mesh can be used not only as a structural material, but also as a power distributor or as a carrier of catalytically active layers (e.g. in AEM systems).

Multilayer Sintered Laminates (PTL / GDL)

• Combination of woven wire mesh, fiber felt, or other metallic media
• Permanent bonding through diffusion sintering
• Very uniform power and current distribution
• High conductivity with controlled diffusion
• Precise overall thickness in the micrometer range
• Very good further processing characteristics
• Wide choice of materials

Fiber Felt

• High porosity (> 50%) for optimal flow-through
• Definable structure (fiber thickness, porosity, thickness)
• Very smooth surface – minimal risk of membrane damage
• High mechanical stability, especially in combination with woven wire mesh
• The combination of woven wire mesh and fiber felt can replace the assembly of a bipolar plate
• High distribution effect and large active surface area

System overview: Electrolysis technologies

AEM – Anion Exchange Membrane

• Fiber felt as PTL (thin and smooth)
• Woven wire mesh as spacer, conductor, and diffuser (GDL)
• Materials: Nickel (> 99.2%), Stainless Steel 316L, others

PEM – Proton Exchange Membrane

• Multilayer sintered laminates as GDL
• Fiber felt as PTL
• Materials: Titanium Grade 1, Stainless Steel 316L

SOFC / SOEC – Solid Oxide Systems

• Woven wire mesh as current collector
• Materials: Nickel (> 99.2% / 99.6%)

Why Dorstener Drahtwerke?

• Many years of experience in woven wire mesh production
• Highest precision in manufacturing and tolerances
• Comprehensive material expertise
• Future-oriented solutions for energy systems
• Personal consultation due the product development process

Partner for your material molution

Whether AEM, AEL, PEM, or SOEC – we supply the right metallic structures for high-performance electrolysis systems.

Electrolysis and beyond: We develop your solution together with you and support you in development, planning, and design – so that filters, membranes, or drainage components are precisely suited to your application. We supply woven meshes and grids as semi-finished products as well as fabricated parts.

→ Contact us: phone +49 2362 2099-0 or use our contact form!