Two-phase flow characteristics on porous layer in PEM electrolyzer under different flow channel layouts

Abstract

As a promising green energy technology, low-temperature proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolysis exhibits different reaction efficiencies and flow performances under various flow channel structures, but the specific impacts of these different layouts on performance are not well understood. To reveal the influence of the channel layouts, a two-phase PEM electrolysis model is established based on the experiment in this paper. Combing with flow characteristics, current density, and product distribution in the porous transport layers (PTLs) and catalyst layers (CLs), the results indicate that the flows from different directions have a significant impact on the electrolyzer. The vertical flow, perpendicular to the CLs, can greatly alleviate the product accumulation; meanwhile the transverse flow, parallel to the CLs, has a weaker but noticeable effect in gas ventilation. Partial gas will continue to accumulate in the region of weak vertical flow, especially at the end of the transverse flow. Except for the pin-type layout, other structures have a neat and orderly transverse flow within the porous medium, in the direction perpendicular to the flow channel's orientation. This flow pattern leads to product accumulation increasing along the exit direction, as well as product stagnation in the region of weak flow intensity. To facilitate the product discharge, a new flow channel layout, the pyramidal flow layout is proposed, which navigates the flow trend and enhances the convection near the exit. This new layout greatly evens out the current density and product concentration distribution.