Abstract
In this work, single-phase (liquid water) and two-phase (liquid water and gaseous oxygen) 3D-CFD flow analysis of the anode of a high pressure PEM electrolysis cell was conducted. 3D-CFD simulation models of the anode side porous transport layer of a PEM electrolyzer cell were created for the flow analysis. For the geometrical modelling of the PTL, two approaches were used: (a) modelling the exact geometry and (b) modelling a simplified geometry using a porosity model. Before conducting two-phase simulations, the model was validated using a single-phase approach. The Eulerian multiphase and the volume-of-fluid approaches were used for the two-phase modelling and the results were compared. Furthermore, a small section of the PTL was isolated to focus on the gas bubble flow and behaviour in more detail. The results showed plausible tendencies regarding pressure drop, velocity distribution and gas volume fraction distribution. The simplified geometry using the porous model could adequately replicate the results of the exact geometry model with a significant reduction in simulation time. The developed simulation model can be used for further investigations and gives insight into two-phase flow phenomena in the PTL. Additionally, the information obtained from simulation can aid the design and evaluation of new PTL structures.
Highlights
Due to the required shift in power generation towards 100% renewable energy, electricity and/or energy storage is becoming essential to secure energy supply
The multi-layered porous transport layers (PTLs) in the anode half-cell of the analysed high-pressure proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzer fulfils this task well and evenly distributes the water flowing into the cell over the electrode
The simplified model could replicate the results of the first model with a significant reduction in simulation time
Summary
Due to the required shift in power generation towards 100% renewable energy, electricity and/or energy storage is becoming essential to secure energy supply. For the temporal and spatial synchronization of the energy production and the energy demand, which is necessary due to the fluctuating primary power sources like wind and sun, electricity can be converted with electrolysis into hydrogen to facilitate storage (power to gas). Hydrogen will take on a major role in transforming the energy system as we know it [1,2]. Proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyzers are used to manage the highly dynamic power supply of renewable energy sources.
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