Anion exchange membrane water electrolysis: Numerical modeling and electrochemical performance analysis

Abstract

In this paper, a three-dimensional numerical model is developed for an anion exchange membrane electrolyser cell (AEMEC) with a double serpentine flow field pattern. The focus on the AEMEC is due to its benefits, including the solid membrane, inexpensive catalysts and membrane, and high stability. The effect of important operating parameters, i.e. cell temperature and cathode pressure, on the performance of the electrolyser is numerically modeled by considering different causes of performance degradation. The polarization curve, uniformity index, and the distribution of the hydrogen concentration, current density, temperature, and pressure in different operating conditions are presented. By increasing the operating temperature and decreasing the cathode pressure, the voltage of the elctrolyser decreases. Due to the higher concentration of water at the inlet of the cathode channel, more hydrogen is produced, and the current density is higher. The maximum current density and hydrogen concentrations are 7868Am2 and 0.898molm3, respectively, when the operating condition is set to the temperature of 343 K, the pressure of 1 bar, and the cell voltage of 1.85 V.