Modeling of two-phase transport in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells for hydrogen energy

Han, Bo; Mo, Jinjun; Kang, Zhenye; Yang, Gaoqiang; Barnhill, William C.; Zhang, Fengyuan

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.12.103

Cited by 87 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 58 publications

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“…According to this study, higher porosity can enhance coalescence of oxygen bubbles and increase the performance of electrolyzer. Han et al [36] also showed an increase in performance linked to an increase in porosity. In addition to that, more recent studies [33,37] revealed the importance of the interaction of the two involved hierarchical porous structures at the anode electrode, namely the PTL and the catalyst layer.…”

Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 92%

Steady-State Water Drainage by Oxygen in Anodic Porous Transport Layer of Electrolyzers: A 2D Pore Network Study

et al. 2020

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Recently, pore network modelling has been attracting attention in the investigation of electrolysis. This study focuses on a 2D pore network model with the purpose to study the drainage of water by oxygen in anodic porous transport layers (PTL). The oxygen gas produced at the anode catalyst layer by the oxidation of water flows counter currently to the educt through the PTL. When it invades the water-filled pores of the PTL, the liquid is drained from the porous medium. For the pore network model presented here, we assume that this process occurs in distinct steps and applies classical rules of invasion percolation with quasi-static drainage. As the invasion occurs in the capillary-dominated regime, it is dictated by the pore structure and the pore size distribution. Viscous and liquid film flows are neglected and gravity forces are disregarded. The curvature of the two-phase interface within the pores, which essentially dictates the invasion process, is computed from the Young Laplace equation. We show and discuss results from Monte Carlo pore network simulations and compare them qualitatively to microfluidic experiments from literature. The invasion patterns of different types of PTLs, i.e., felt, foam, sintered, are compared with pore network simulations. In addition to this, we study the impact of pore size distribution on the phase patterns of oxygen and water inside the pore network. Based on these results, it can be recommended that pore network modeling is a valuable tool to study the correlation between kinetic losses of water electrolysis processes and current density.

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Section: Referencementioning

confidence: 92%

Steady-State Water Drainage by Oxygen in Anodic Porous Transport Layer of Electrolyzers: A 2D Pore Network Study

et al. 2020

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“…Although many elements of the electrolyzer have improved over the previous decade, the impacts of the various operating parameters are still being investigated. Notably, the main limiting variables have yet to be identified using kinetic and thermodynamic relationships [165,166]. However, a faster electrolyte flowrate will not necessarily increase the rate of hydrogen production, and instead may be a limiting factor, negatively influencing the rate of ionization in an HER or OER.…”

Section: Electrolytes Flowratementioning

confidence: 99%

Membrane-Based Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: A Review

et al. 2021

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Hydrogen is a zero-carbon footprint energy source with high energy density that could be the basis of future energy systems. Membrane-based water electrolysis is one means by which to produce high-purity and sustainable hydrogen. It is important that the scientific community focus on developing electrolytic hydrogen systems which match available energy sources. In this review, various types of water splitting technologies, and membrane selection for electrolyzers, are discussed. We highlight the basic principles, recent studies, and achievements in membrane-based electrolysis for hydrogen production. Previously, the NafionTM membrane was the gold standard for PEM electrolyzers, but today, cheaper and more effective membranes are favored. In this paper, CuCl–HCl electrolysis and its operating parameters are summarized. Additionally, a summary is presented of hydrogen production by water splitting, including a discussion of the advantages, disadvantages, and efficiencies of the relevant technologies. Nonetheless, the development of cost-effective and efficient hydrogen production technologies requires a significant amount of study, especially in terms of optimizing the operation parameters affecting the hydrogen output. Therefore, herein we address the challenges, prospects, and future trends in this field of research, and make critical suggestions regarding the implementation of comprehensive membrane-based electrolytic systems.

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“…These models are useful to predict general cell behaviour and to study the influence of system parameter variations. Han et al [9] presented a 1-D two-phase model that simulates cell voltage behaviour for different electrode structures (porosity, thickness) and material properties (contact angle between liquid and gaseous phase). Another work conducted by Aubras et al [10] presented a 2-D stationary mathematical model that simulates the electrochemical reaction, heat and mass transfer (bubble flow) of an anode electrolysis cell at two different scales of description (micro and macro scale).…”

Section: Relevance Of Cfd With Regard To Pem Water Electrolysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Capabilities and Limitations of 3D-CFD Simulation of Anode Flow Fields of High-Pressure PEM Water Electrolysis

Haas¹,

Macherhammer²,

Klopcic³

et al. 2021

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In this work, single-phase (liquid water) and two-phase (liquid water and gaseous oxygen) 3D-CFD flow analysis of the anode of a high pressure PEM electrolysis cell was conducted. 3D-CFD simulation models of the anode side porous transport layer of a PEM electrolyzer cell were created for the flow analysis. For the geometrical modelling of the PTL, two approaches were used: (a) modelling the exact geometry and (b) modelling a simplified geometry using a porosity model. Before conducting two-phase simulations, the model was validated using a single-phase approach. The Eulerian multiphase and the volume-of-fluid approaches were used for the two-phase modelling and the results were compared. Furthermore, a small section of the PTL was isolated to focus on the gas bubble flow and behaviour in more detail. The results showed plausible tendencies regarding pressure drop, velocity distribution and gas volume fraction distribution. The simplified geometry using the porous model could adequately replicate the results of the exact geometry model with a significant reduction in simulation time. The developed simulation model can be used for further investigations and gives insight into two-phase flow phenomena in the PTL. Additionally, the information obtained from simulation can aid the design and evaluation of new PTL structures.

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Modeling of two-phase transport in proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells for hydrogen energy

Cited by 87 publications

References 58 publications

Steady-State Water Drainage by Oxygen in Anodic Porous Transport Layer of Electrolyzers: A 2D Pore Network Study

Steady-State Water Drainage by Oxygen in Anodic Porous Transport Layer of Electrolyzers: A 2D Pore Network Study

Membrane-Based Electrolysis for Hydrogen Production: A Review

Capabilities and Limitations of 3D-CFD Simulation of Anode Flow Fields of High-Pressure PEM Water Electrolysis

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