Dynamic Simulation of PEM Water Electrolysis and Comparison with Experiments

• Published in: International journal of electrochemical science Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 235 - 248
• Main Authors: Lee, Bonghwan, Park, Kiwon, Kim, Hyung-Man
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2013
• Subjects: flow field; flow rate; PEM electrolyzer; temperature; water electrolysis; temperature; PEM electrolyzer; flow field; water electrolysis; flow rate
• ISSN: 1452-3981; 1452-3981
• DOI: 10.1016/S1452-3981(23)14016-8

The effects of temperature and flow rate are studied analytically and experimentally to develop a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer with satisfactory performance for use in a regenerative fuel cell system. The dynamic interactions in the electrolyzer are simulated with Simulink® to include five ancillaries: anode, cathode, membrane, voltage and storage. To validate the analytical polarization curve, the performance of the PEM electrolyzer has been assessed in terms of power, flow rate and temperature controllers. The four circulating water flow fields in the electrolyzer are experimentally evaluated using a small cell with an active area of 25 cm2. By comparing the analytical and experimental polarization curves at various temperatures, the optimum temperature and flow field for water electrolysis are presented. At the optimum temperature and flow field, the hydrogen and oxygen production rates are obtained for various water flow rates. These analytical and experimental results will be applied to the controls of temperature and flow rate of the PEM electrolyzer for the regenerative fuel cell system.