Study on distribution characteristics of proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20240642

Abstract

Abstract:

The distribution characteristics of water electrolysis have a significant impact on the performance of the electrolytic cell and its service life. Using partitioned printed circuit boards, the current density distribution and temperature distribution of the steady-state and dynamic processes of water electrolysis were in situ characterized, and the effect of mass transfer polarization on multiple physical fields under the influence of water flow and actual current density was analyzed. The results show that the current density distribution and temperature distribution are more uniform and stable when the electrolytic cell is in the control region of electrochemical polarization and ohmic polarization. When the cell is during the mass transfer limitations, the current density distribution is significantly different. The more severe the mass transfer limitations, the greater the difference in local current density distribution. The high temperature area of the corresponding temperature distribution gradually shifts from the inlet side to the outlet side with the increase of the water flow rate. In addition, the normalized current density distribution is used to analyze the variation of current density distribution in the dynamic process. The results show that the main reason for the change of distribution uniformity of the electrolytic cell is mass transfer polarization. During the occurrence of mass transfer polarization, the low current density region near the downstream outlet area gradually increases, and finally forms the distribution characteristics of stable mass transfer polarization.

Key words: proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell, current density distribution, temperature distribution, hydrogen production, mass transfer

摘要：

电解水制氢的分布特性对水电解池的性能和寿命有着重要影响。利用分区印刷线路板对电解水的稳态与动态过程进行电流密度分布和温度分布的原位表征，分析在水流量和表观电流密度影响下传质极化对多物理场的作用效果。结果表明，当水电解池处于电化学极化和欧姆极化区时，电流密度分布和温度分布较为均匀且稳定；而当水电解池处于传质极化控制区时，电流密度分布差异明显，而且传质极化程度越大局部电流密度分布差异越大，对应温度分布的高温区随流量增大从进水侧逐渐向出水侧偏移。此外，采用归一化电流密度分布分析了动态过程中电流密度的分布演化过程，结果表明，造成水电解池分布均一性变化的主要原因是传质极化，传质极化发生过程中靠近下游出口区域的低电流密区逐渐增大，最终形成稳定传质极化时的分布特征。

关键词: 质子交换膜水电解池, 电流密度分布, 温度分布, 制氢, 传质

CLC Number:

TQ 116.2⁺1

Qianxi XIANG, Xiaokang YANG, Jiaqi SUN, Feng XIE, Zhigang SHAO. Study on distribution characteristics of proton exchange membrane electrolytic cell[J]. CIESC Journal, 2024, 75(11): 4359-4368.

向千禧, 杨小康, 孙嘉琦, 谢峰, 邵志刚. 质子交换膜水电解池分布特性研究[J]. 化工学报, 2024, 75(11): 4359-4368.

Figures/Tables 8

Fig.1 Electrolysis cell and experimental device

Fig.2 Steady-state polarization curves with different inlet water flow rates

Fig.3 Actual current density distributions with 2 ml/min and 6 ml/min flow rates

Fig.4 Normalized current density distribution at different voltages with different flow rates

Fig.5 Plot of standard deviation of normalized current density distribution versus actual current density at different voltages with different flow rates

Fig.6 Corresponding temperature distribution under mass transfer limitations

Fig.7 (a) Polarization curve for suddenly increased mass transfer polarization at 3 ml/min; (b) Plot of current and voltage versus time in 90 s after significant mass transfer polarization occurs

Fig.8 Plot of varied current density distribution over 80 s under dynamic operating conditions

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