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Holistic Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Alkaline Water Electrolysis Systems Based on Heat Current Method

Author

Listed:
  • Yi-Chong Jiang

    (Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Shi-Meng Dong

    (National Power Dispatch and Control Center, State Grid Corporation of China, Xicheng District, Beijing 100031, China)

  • Zheng Liang

    (Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

  • Xiao-Li Wang

    (State Grid Ningxia Electric Power Co., Ltd., Yinchuan 750000, China)

  • Lei Shi

    (State Grid Ningxia Electric Power Co., Ltd., Yinchuan 750000, China)

  • Bing Yan

    (State Grid Ningxia Electric Power Co., Ltd., Yinchuan 750000, China)

  • Tian Zhao

    (Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China)

Abstract

Hydrogen production technology is becoming increasingly important with the rapid development of hydrogen energy. Among existing hydrogen production technologies, alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is drawing wide attention due to its advantages such as high maturity and low cost, and its performance analysis and optimization are important for applications. However, the AWE system contains processes with different physical and mathematical properties such as electrochemical reaction and heat transport processes, bringing difficulties to the system modeling. Moreover, the electrical and thermal processes have different characteristic time scales, and the system shows a sophisticated dynamic behavior, which has not been well studied yet. Here, a homomorphic dynamic model of the AWE system in the form of electrical circuit is built to describe the thermal and electrochemical processes uniformly, where the two parts are integrated via the energy conservation seamlessly. The model is verified by comparing with the experimental data and shows a high accuracy. The dynamic simulation analysis is conducted to investigate the dynamic response characteristics of the system under current step changes and fluctuations. The temperature overshoot and oscillation phenomena caused by delays in heat transport processes are studied. Results show that the time delay yields a maximum temperature overshoot of 10 °C, which would reduce the lifespan of the stack. This also highlights the importance of dynamic system analysis.

Suggested Citation

  • Yi-Chong Jiang & Shi-Meng Dong & Zheng Liang & Xiao-Li Wang & Lei Shi & Bing Yan & Tian Zhao, 2024. "Holistic Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of Alkaline Water Electrolysis Systems Based on Heat Current Method," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-24, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:23:p:6202-:d:1539863
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Jang, Dohyung & Shin, Haeseong & Shin, Hee-Sun & Cho, Hyun-Seok & Cho, Won Chul & Kang, Sanggyu, 2026. "Dynamic modeling of alkaline water electrolysis cell with consideration of two-phase bubble transport for renewables dedicated operation," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 228(C).

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