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Performance comparison of mono-polar and bi-polar configurations of alkaline electrolysis stack through 3-D modelling and experimental fabrication

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  • De Silva, Y. Sanath K.
  • Middleton, Peter Hugh
  • Kolhe, Mohan Lal

Abstract

Generation of hydrogen using electrolysis process with integrated renewable energy sources is highly important especially in environmental aspects. In this paper, we demonstrate that the enhancement of electrolysis performance of alkaline electrolysis stacks by diminishing the distance between electrodes, while changing the properties of the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA). Prior to that, the performances of mono-polar and bi-polar configurations of alkaline electrolysis stack are compared through 3-D modelling and experimental fabrication. At first, two different single cell alkaline electrolysers are designed using SolidWorks as a design software and the designed cell has been fabricated using an in-house 3D printer, to avoid post machining processes. Thereafter, the best performing cell is selected by considering the performance of both designs through different experiments. Finally, the performance of the selected cell is enhanced by changing the distance between electrodes and properties of MEA. Thus, the best performing cell has been selected for the fabrication process of mono-polar and bi-polar electrolysis stacks. At last, both mono-polar and bi-polar configurations of alkaline electrolysis stacks are designed and implemented to compare the electrolysis performance of both configurations by maintaining minimum electrode distance. The results imply that the electrolysis performance of the cell can be enhanced by reducing the distance between electrodes, and the designed bi-polar stack has a better performance in terms of the efficiency, power and flow rates than the mono-polar equivalent.

Suggested Citation

  • De Silva, Y. Sanath K. & Middleton, Peter Hugh & Kolhe, Mohan Lal, 2020. "Performance comparison of mono-polar and bi-polar configurations of alkaline electrolysis stack through 3-D modelling and experimental fabrication," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 760-772.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:149:y:2020:i:c:p:760-772
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2019.12.087
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Cruden, Andrew & Infield, David & Kiaee, Mahdi & Douglas, Tamunosaki G. & Roy, Amitava, 2013. "Development of new materials for alkaline electrolysers and investigation of the potential electrolysis impact on the electrical grid," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 53-57.
    2. Long Chen & Xiaoli Dong & Yonggang Wang & Yongyao Xia, 2016. "Separating hydrogen and oxygen evolution in alkaline water electrolysis using nickel hydroxide," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 7(1), pages 1-8, September.
    3. Kolhe, M. & Agbossou, K. & Hamelin, J. & Bose, T.K., 2003. "Analytical model for predicting the performance of photovoltaic array coupled with a wind turbine in a stand-alone renewable energy system based on hydrogen," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 28(5), pages 727-742.
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    Cited by:

    1. Genovese, Matteo & Fragiacomo, Petronilla, 2021. "Parametric technical-economic investigation of a pressurized hydrogen electrolyzer unit coupled with a storage compression system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 180(C), pages 502-515.
    2. Musa, Nur Nadhirah Syafiqa Binti Mohammad & Tijani, Alhassan Salami, 2025. "Effect of exchange current density and charge transfer coefficient on performance characteristics of voltage of alkaline electrolysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 394(C).
    3. Sakas, Georgios & Ibáñez-Rioja, Alejandro & Pöyhönen, Santeri & Kosonen, Antti & Ruuskanen, Vesa & Kauranen, Pertti & Ahola, Jero, 2024. "Influence of shunt currents in industrial-scale alkaline water electrolyzer plants," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 225(C).

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