Numerical simulations of proton exchange water electrolysis for hydrogen production were performed for the purpose of examining the phenomena occurring within the proton exchange membranes (PEM) water splitting cell. A two-dimensional steady-state isothermal model of the cell has been developed. Finite element method was used to solve the multicomponent transport model coupled with flow in porous medium, charge balance and electrochemical kinetics. The Maxwell-Stefan equation is applied for the multi-component diffusion and convection in water distribution electrodes. The Butler-Volmer kinetic equation is used to obtain the local current density distribution at the catalyst reactive boundaries. Darcy’s law was applied for the flow of species in the porous electrodes. Parametric studies are performed based on appropriate mass balances, transport, and electrochemical kinetics applied to the electrolysis cell. There are significant current spikes present at the corners of the current collector. The current density varies significantly in the cell, being highest at the corners of the current collector. As the water on the anode side flows from the inlet to the outlet, the mass fraction of oxygen increases. This is the effect of oxygen concentration due to the effect oxidation of water. On the cathode side, as the mass fraction of water decreases there is little variation in the hydrogen mass fraction content due to the effect of hydrogen reduction.
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ASME 2007 Energy Sustainability Conference
July 27–30, 2007
Long Beach, California, USA
Conference Sponsors:
- Solar Energy Division and Advanced Energy Systems Division
ISBN:
0-7918-4797-7
PROCEEDINGS PAPER
Numerical Modeling of Electrochemical Process for Hydrogen Production From PEM Electrolyzer Cell
Shanthi P. Katukota,
Shanthi P. Katukota
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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Jianhu Nie,
Jianhu Nie
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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Yitung Chen,
Yitung Chen
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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Robert F. Boehm,
Robert F. Boehm
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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Hsuan-Tsung Hsieh
Hsuan-Tsung Hsieh
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
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Shanthi P. Katukota
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Jianhu Nie
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Yitung Chen
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Robert F. Boehm
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Hsuan-Tsung Hsieh
University of Nevada at Las Vegas, Las Vegas, NV
Paper No:
ES2007-36108, pp. 31-38; 8 pages
Published Online:
February 24, 2009
Citation
Katukota, SP, Nie, J, Chen, Y, Boehm, RF, & Hsieh, H. "Numerical Modeling of Electrochemical Process for Hydrogen Production From PEM Electrolyzer Cell." Proceedings of the ASME 2007 Energy Sustainability Conference. ASME 2007 Energy Sustainability Conference. Long Beach, California, USA. July 27–30, 2007. pp. 31-38. ASME. https://doi.org/10.1115/ES2007-36108
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