Two-dimensional model of low-pressure PEM electrolyser: Two-phase flow regime, electrochemical modelling and experimental validation
Abstract
Based on proton conduction of polymeric electrolyte membrane (PEM) technology, the Polymer
Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyser (PEMWE) offers an interesting solution for
efficient hydrogen production. During the electrolysis of water in PEMWE, water is split into
oxygen, protons and electrons at the anode and a water-gas two-phase flow results. The aim
of this study is to investigate the link between the two-phase flow at the anode side and cell
performance under low-pressure conditions. We have developed a two-dimensional stationary
PEMWE model that takes into account electrochemical reaction, heat transfer, mass
transfer (bubble flow) and charge balance through theMembrane Electrodes Assembly (MEA).
In order to take into account the changing electrical behaviour, our model combines two
scales of descriptions: at microscale within anodic active layer and MEA scale. The water
management at both scales is strongly linked to the Not Coalesced Bubble regime (NCB
regime) or the Coalesced Bubble regime (CB regime). Therefore, water content close to active
surface areas depends on two-phase flow regimes. Our simulation results demonstrate that
the coalesced phenomenon is associated with improvement of mass transfer, a decrease in
ohmic resistance and an enhancement of the PEMWE efficiency. At low and medium current
density values, themodel has been validated using two separate experiment electrolysis cells.