Abstract
Optimised mass transport is crucial for high current density operations in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWEs). This study investigates the effect and interactions of mass transport parameters on the performance of a PEMWE using a 23 full-factorial Design-of-Experiments (DoE) approach with replication. The effects of anode flow-field design, anode porous transport layer (PTL) and water flow rate on the cell performance were studied. At 95% confidence level, the result shows that all three factors and their two-way interactions significantly affect the cell performance. Among them, the water flow rate showed the most significant contribution, followed by the interaction between the flow-field and the PTL. A regression model was developed to relate the cell performance and the mass transfer parameters. Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA), regression analysis and R2 test indicated good accuracy of the model. The best PEMWE cell performance was obtained with a parallel flow-field configuration, a small average pore diameter of PTL and high anode water flow rate. The DoE is shown to be a suitable method for investigating interactions and optimising the operating conditions to maximise PEMWE performance.
Highlights
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane water electrolysers (PEMWEs) have garnered strong attention in recent years due to its potential for clean, sustainable hydrogen production and long-term renewable energy storage using renewable sources of electricity (Barbir, 2005; Carmo et al, 2013; Dmitri et al, 2016)
It is evident that different mass transport parameter combinations influence cell performance differently
This study presents a full-factorial design of experiment (DoE) approach was applied to Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWEs) performance based on mass transport factors
Summary
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane water electrolysers (PEMWEs) have garnered strong attention in recent years due to its potential for clean, sustainable hydrogen production and long-term renewable energy storage using renewable sources of electricity (e.g., wind and solar power) (Barbir, 2005; Carmo et al, 2013; Dmitri et al, 2016). Design of Experiments PEM Electrolyser mass transport in the PEMWE is a complex, multi-component and multiphase phenomenon, which requires a systemic understanding of the interaction of various factors, rather than their stand-alone effects. One approach to this problem is a design-of-experiments (DoE) methodology. DoE is a powerful statistical experimental design tool for identifying the influence of the most critical factors and interactions in a system (Montgomery, 2012; Jiju, 2014). When several variables influence performance, it is crucial to design a valid and reliable experiment from which sound conclusions can be drawn effectively and efficiently. Information about factor interactions cannot be obtained using the conventional one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
