In situ two-phase flow in gas channels of PEMWE

PEMWE (proton exchange membrane water electrolyzer) can operate at a high current density with a small size to obtain a large mount of hydrogen. However, when PEMWE operate under high current density conditions, lots of air bubbles are generated which causes the reduction of water electrolysis efficiency due to the increase of mass transport loss. In this study, three types of flow channels (single serpentine, double serpentine, and parallel) were designed to reduce mass transport loss and PEMWE performances were compared. Among tested channels, the parallel channel had the worst performance because slug flows with Tayler bubbles, that could disturb the water supply, were mainly occurred. Whereas, the single serpentine channel had the best performance because annular flows with a thin liquid film could reduce mass transport loss were dominant.

Related publications

1. S.K. Kim and S.Y. Jung*, “The effect of two-phase flows on PEM water electrolysis cell performance”, Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology 38(8) 3933~3939 (2024) http://doi.org/10.1007/s12206-024-2106-5.