IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v326y2022ics0306261922012685.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Investigation on performance of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer with different flow field structures

Author

Listed:
  • Lin, Rui
  • Lu, Ying
  • Xu, Ji
  • Huo, Jiawei
  • Cai, Xin

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis provides a sustainable solution for hydrogen generation. As one of the key components, flow field should be properly designed to help distribute reactant evenly across the catalyzed reaction surface area. In this study, three-dimensional models of three flow field structures are built to simulate the internal flow velocity and pressure distribution. The electrolyzer performance of the flow fields at different operating temperature and water pressure is investigated through orthogonal experiments. The output characteristics and electrochemical behavior are investigated by measurement of polarization curves and analysis of electrochemical impedance. It is found that the flow field structure has the most considerable impact on the electrolyzer performance, followed by the operating temperature. The experimental results are consistent with the simulations, indicating that the parallel flow field has lower contact impedance and better mass transfer effect under medium and low current densities due to the large contact area of the channel and the uniform pressure distribution. PEM electrolyzer with the parallel flow field of channel width 1 mm, operating at 60 °C and 0.1 bar anode pressure has the best output performance. Under this condition, the electrolyzer’s potential reaches to 2.1 V at the current density of 1 A/cm2. This work can provide simulation and experimental support for the selection and optimization of PEM electrolyzers’ flow fields and operating conditions.

Suggested Citation

  • Lin, Rui & Lu, Ying & Xu, Ji & Huo, Jiawei & Cai, Xin, 2022. "Investigation on performance of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer with different flow field structures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:326:y:2022:i:c:s0306261922012685
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120011
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261922012685
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2022.120011?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Toghyani, S. & Afshari, E. & Baniasadi, E. & Atyabi, S.A. & Naterer, G.F., 2018. "Thermal and electrochemical performance assessment of a high temperature PEM electrolyzer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 237-246.
    2. Upadhyay, Mukesh & Kim, Ayeon & Paramanantham, SalaiSargunan S. & Kim, Heehyang & Lim, Dongjun & Lee, Sunyoung & Moon, Sangbong & Lim, Hankwon, 2022. "Three-dimensional CFD simulation of proton exchange membrane water electrolyser: Performance assessment under different condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 306(PA).
    3. Mohammadi, Amin & Mehrpooya, Mehdi, 2018. "A comprehensive review on coupling different types of electrolyzer to renewable energy sources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 632-655.
    4. Scheepers, Fabian & Stähler, Markus & Stähler, Andrea & Rauls, Edward & Müller, Martin & Carmo, Marcelo & Lehnert, Werner, 2021. "Temperature optimization for improving polymer electrolyte membrane-water electrolysis system efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    5. Mazloomi, S.K. & Sulaiman, Nasri, 2012. "Influencing factors of water electrolysis electrical efficiency," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(6), pages 4257-4263.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Wei-Hsin Chen & Yaun-Sheng Wang & Min-Hsing Chang & Liwen Jin & Lip Huat Saw & Chih-Chia Lin & Ching-Ying Huang, 2023. "Optimization of Flow Channel Design with Porous Medium Layers in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-14, July.
    2. He, Mingzhi & Nie, Gongzhe & Yang, Haoran & Li, Binghui & Zhou, Shuhan & Wang, Xiongzheng & Meng, Xin, 2024. "A generic equivalent circuit model for PEM electrolyzer with multi-timescale and stages under multi-mode control," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    3. Ahmed, Saad & Beauger, Christian & Zada, Amir & Iqbal, Waseem & Ahmed, Naveed & Anwar, Muhammad Tuoqeer & Hassan, Muhammad, 2025. "Recent advancements in designing high-performance proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 390(C).
    4. Fernando Rocha & Christos Georgiadis & Kevin Droogenbroek & Renaud Delmelle & Xavier Pinon & Grzegorz Pyka & Greet Kerckhofs & Franz Egert & Fatemeh Razmjooei & Syed-Asif Ansar & Shigenori Mitsushima , 2024. "Proton exchange membrane-like alkaline water electrolysis using flow-engineered three-dimensional electrodes," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-13, December.
    5. Chen, Jingxian & Wang, Sen & Sun, Yongwen & Zhang, Cunman & Lv, Hong, 2025. "Multi-dimensional performance evaluation and energy analysis of proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 377(PB).
    6. Kumar, S. Shiva & Ni, Aleksey & Himabindu, V. & Lim, Hankwon, 2023. "Experimental and simulation of PEM water electrolyser with Pd/PN-CNPs electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction: Performance assessment and validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    7. Xu, Guanxin & Wu, Yan & Tang, Shuo & Wang, Yufei & Yu, Xinhai & Ma, Mingyan, 2024. "Optimal design of hydrogen production processing coupling alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    8. Liang Ran & Yaling Mao & Tiejiang Yuan & Guofeng Li, 2022. "Low-Carbon Transition Pathway Planning of Regional Power Systems with Electricity-Hydrogen Synergy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(22), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Mohammad Alobeid & Selahattin Çelik & Hasan Ozcan & Bahman Amini Horri, 2024. "Multi-Dimensional Modelling of Bioinspired Flow Channels Based on Plant Leaves for PEM Electrolyser," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-20, September.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Miao, Zheng & Jia, Tianxu & Xu, Jinliang & Xu, Chao, 2025. "Effect of the anisotropy of gas diffusion layer on transport characteristics and performance of a PEM electrolysis cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 323(C).
    2. Su, Chao & Chen, Zhidong & Wu, Zexuan & Zhang, Jing & Li, Kaiyang & Hao, Junhong & Kong, Yanqiang & Zhang, Naiqiang, 2024. "Experimental and numerical study of thermal coupling on catalyst-coated membrane for proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    3. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2022. "A novel electrochemical refrigeration system based on the combined proton exchange membrane fuel cell-electrolyzer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    4. Xu, Guanxin & Wu, Yan & Tang, Shuo & Wang, Yufei & Yu, Xinhai & Ma, Mingyan, 2024. "Optimal design of hydrogen production processing coupling alkaline and proton exchange membrane electrolyzers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 302(C).
    5. Abdollahipour, Armin & Sayyaadi, Hoseyn, 2022. "Optimal design of a hybrid power generation system based on integrating PEM fuel cell and PEM electrolyzer as a moderator for micro-renewable energy systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 260(C).
    6. Kumar, S. Shiva & Ni, Aleksey & Himabindu, V. & Lim, Hankwon, 2023. "Experimental and simulation of PEM water electrolyser with Pd/PN-CNPs electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction: Performance assessment and validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    7. Kang, Zhenye & Yang, Gaoqiang & Mo, Jingke, 2024. "Development of an ultra-thin electrode for the oxygen evolution reaction in proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    8. Yajing Gu & He Ren & Hongwei Liu & Yonggang Lin & Weifei Hu & Tian Zou & Liyuan Zhang & Luoyang Huang, 2024. "Simulation of a Tidal Current-Powered Freshwater and Energy Supply System for Sustainable Island Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-24, October.
    9. Dan Shao & Liangyong Hu & Guoqing Zhang & Kaicheng Hu & Jiangyun Zhang & Jun Liu & Kang Peng & Liqin Jiang & Wenzhao Jiang & Yuliang Wen, 2024. "Numerical Investigation of Flow Field Distributions and Water and Thermal Management for a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysis Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-16, July.
    10. Abdellatif Azzaoui & Mohammed Attiaoui & Elmiloud Chaabelasri & Hugo Gonçalves Silva & Ahmed Alami Merrouni, 2025. "Techno-Economic Assessment of Linear Fresnel-Based Hydrogen Production in the MENA Region: Toward Affordable, Locally Driven Deployment for Enhanced Profitability and Reduced Costs," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(14), pages 1-26, July.
    11. Lamichhane, Pradeep & Pourali, Nima & Scott, Lauren & Tran, Nam N. & Lin, Liangliang & Gelonch, Marc Escribà & Rebrov, Evgeny V. & Hessel, Volker, 2024. "Critical review: ‘Green’ ethylene production through emerging technologies, with a focus on plasma catalysis," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 189(PB).
    12. Paolo Pilati & Federico Ferrari & Riccardo Alleori & Francesco Falcetelli & Maria Alessandra Ancona & Francesco Melino & Michele Bianchi & Mattia Ricco, 2025. "Experimental Analysis on a Commercial Power Electronic Converter in Power-to-Hydrogen System Based on PEM Electrolysis and Metal Hydrides," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(11), pages 1-16, May.
    13. Burton, N.A. & Grant, J.C., 2025. "Increasing the efficiency of water electrolysis with the application of pulsing electric fields," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    14. Taehyung Koo & Rockkil Ko & Dongwoo Ha & Jaeyoung Han, 2023. "Development of Model-Based PEM Water Electrolysis HILS (Hardware-in-the-Loop Simulation) System for State Evaluation and Fault Detection," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-18, April.
    15. Zhang, Hong & Yuan, Tiejiang, 2022. "Optimization and economic evaluation of a PEM electrolysis system considering its degradation in variable-power operations," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    16. Scheepers, Fabian & Stähler, Markus & Stähler, Andrea & Rauls, Edward & Müller, Martin & Carmo, Marcelo & Lehnert, Werner, 2021. "Temperature optimization for improving polymer electrolyte membrane-water electrolysis system efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    17. Nikolaos Margaritis & Christos Evaggelou & Panagiotis Grammelis & Roberto Arévalo & Haris Yiannoulakis & Polykarpos Papageorgiou, 2023. "Application of Flexible Tools in Magnesia Sector: The Case of Grecian Magnesite," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-30, August.
    18. Bojarska, Zuzanna & Karnas, Maria Jarząbek & Godula-Jopek, Agata & Mandrek, Sławomir & Makowski, Łukasz, 2025. "Simultaneous hydrogen generation and organic oxidation in low-temperature electrolyzers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 389(C).
    19. Liu, Jiang & Yang, Yingying & Kerner, Felix & Schröder, Daniel, 2025. "Unraveling the impact of compression on the performance of porous transport layers in water Electrolyzers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).
    20. Wang, Xiongzheng & Meng, Xin & Nie, Gongzhe & Li, Binghui & Yang, Haoran & He, Mingzhi, 2024. "Optimization of hydrogen production in multi-Electrolyzer systems: A novel control strategy for enhanced renewable energy utilization and Electrolyzer lifespan," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 376(PB).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:326:y:2022:i:c:s0306261922012685. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.