Improving PEM water electrolyser’s performance by magnetic field application

This paper demonstrates thesignificant and positive effect of applying a magnetic field on the performanceof Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE). A magnetizer and a transparentPEMWE cell are used to observe the effect of the magnetic field at variablewater flow rates on the PEMWE performance. The presence of the magnetic fieldintroduces Lorentz force which results in a significant improvement in theelectrolyser performance. The magnetic flux density is varied between 0 T and0.5 T, while the water flow rate is varied from 100 ml min-1 to 300ml min-1 to study the effect and relationship between the twoparameters and the performance of the PEMWE. Under a 0.5 T magnetic field and300 ml min-1 flow rate, a 33% increase in the cell performance isachieved compared to the conventional operation at the same flow rate. Thepositive effect is explained by the introduction of Lorentz force from themagnetic field to the operating PEMWE. The improvement here is due to therelaxation and pumping effect of the magnetic field on the electrode surfacewhich results in enhancing oxygen bubbles removal and lowering mass transportpolarisation. Moreover, the enhanced oxygen bubbles removal is expected toincrease the lifetime of the electrolyser as a result of the reduced contact betweenthe produced oxygen and the anode materials.