A numerical simulation of static feed alkaline water electrolysis

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Abstract With the advantages of sustainability, green and clean, and high energy density, hydrogen will be an important part of the energy system in low-carbon society. Using water electrolysis technology to convert renewable energy into hydrogen is an ideal way of hydrogen production. A two-dimensional numerical model of static feed alkaline water electrolysis(SFAWE) was developed for the first time in this study, taking into consideration the transport of mass, momentum, heat, charge, and their coupling with electrochemical reactions. The polarization curves under different temperatures of feed water are in fine agreement with experimental data. The rise of cell voltage due to activation, concentration polarization and ohmic loss was analyzed. The impact of the driving force and resistance of water supply on electrolysis performance was investigated. It is shown that the activation overpotential associated with the water content of the KOH electrolyte takes a considerable part in the total voltage rise, indicating the impact of water transport on the electrolytic performance. The reduction of water vapor transport resistance to the cathode and the KOH content of the electrolyte layer being slightly higher than the 30%(mass fraction) industry standard both could improve electrolysis performance. But the current density, the KOH content of the electrolyte layer, the thickness of the cathode gas gap layer and the feed water temperature should match each other to ensure that the system is under suitable operating conditions.

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	Articles by authors
	FEI Hongda
	GE Sheng
	MIN Luofu
	GAO Feng
	WANG Yuxin

Keywords： electrolysis numerical simulation prediction transport equilibrium

Received 2021-03-25;

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FEI Hongda, GE Sheng, MIN Luofu, GAO Feng, WANG Yuxin.A numerical simulation of static feed alkaline water electrolysis[J] Chemcial Industry and Engineering, 2022,V39(4): 94-105

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