Back to Search
Start Over
Non-uniform liquid flow distribution in an alkaline water electrolyzer with concave-convex bipolar plate (CCBP): A numerical study.
- Source :
-
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy . Apr2023, Vol. 48 Issue 33, p12200-12214. 15p. - Publication Year :
- 2023
-
Abstract
- Alkaline water electrolysis (AWE) is promising for large-scale commercial production of green hydrogen, but large overpotential hinders their promotion. To reduce overpotential, the electrolyzers should be designed to improve flow uniformity, thus requiring a quantitative evaluation of flow distribution. However, the corresponding assessment criteria and method are ambiguous. This study establishes a 3D numerical model as well as quantitative parameters to investigate the liquid flow uniformity in a concave-convex bipolar plate (CCBP) electrolyzer. The simulation result is validated by a flow visualization experiment. The simulated velocity field reveals significant non-uniform flow in the CCBP electrolyzer. A uniformity parameter δ was defined to quantify the velocity discrepancy at various horizontal sections. Additionally, residence time distribution (RTD) analysis by CFD coupled particle tracing (CFD-PT) method is applied to evaluate flow behavior inside electrolyzers. The corresponding dimensionless parameter θ can be applied as a criterion for electrolyzer structure design, operation optimization, and scale-up. [Display omitted] • Non-uniform flow discovered in a commercial CCBP electrolyzer by 3D CFD simulation. • Simulation validation: flow visualization experiment. • A defined parameter δ to describe flow uniformity at horizontal sections. • Electrolyzer flow uniformity evaluation/prediction: RTD analysis by CFD-PT method. • Dimensionless time parameter θ : a criterion for electrolyzer structure design, operation optimization, and scale-up. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 03603199
- Volume :
- 48
- Issue :
- 33
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- International Journal of Hydrogen Energy
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 162590919
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.12.203