Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect
At higher current densities, the bubble effect in the anode flow field of the PEM electrolyzer (PEM EL) worsens mass transfer losses and energy consumption. This study employs a moderate increase in the water flow rate to remove accumulated bubbles under fluctuating electrical input, thereby improvi...
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Energies |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/273 |
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| author | Liheng An Yizhi Tian Haikun Zhao |
| author_facet | Liheng An Yizhi Tian Haikun Zhao |
| author_sort | Liheng An |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | At higher current densities, the bubble effect in the anode flow field of the PEM electrolyzer (PEM EL) worsens mass transfer losses and energy consumption. This study employs a moderate increase in the water flow rate to remove accumulated bubbles under fluctuating electrical input, thereby improving PEM EL system efficiency. An enhanced PEM EL equivalent circuit model incorporating bubble over-potential based on the oxygen volume fraction is developed. Considering the energy consumption of auxiliary equipment and the reduction in losses from mitigating the bubble effect, a numerical simulation evaluates the impact of flow rate variations on overall electrolysis energy consumption, leading to a comprehensive energy consumption model for the PEM EL system, incorporating electrical, chemical, and thermal energy conversions. The control objective is to maximize system efficiency by optimizing the water flow rate, with a performance-preset-based controller implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results show that the controller can accurately track the target flow rate, and the dynamic regulation time improved by 1.5 s compared to the traditional performance constraint function, better matching the rate of change in electrical energy. Under the water flow control mode, hydrogen production increased by 6.6 L within 130 s of the simulation, available energy increased by 8.32 × 10<sup>6</sup> J, and the efficiency of the PEM EL system improved by 2.79%. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b2cc2258f04242e58c7827cbb0eb2a80 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1996-1073 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Energies |
| spelling | doaj-art-b2cc2258f04242e58c7827cbb0eb2a802025-01-24T13:30:51ZengMDPI AGEnergies1996-10732025-01-0118227310.3390/en18020273Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble EffectLiheng An0Yizhi Tian1Haikun Zhao2College of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, ChinaCollege of Electrical Engineering, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830017, ChinaAt higher current densities, the bubble effect in the anode flow field of the PEM electrolyzer (PEM EL) worsens mass transfer losses and energy consumption. This study employs a moderate increase in the water flow rate to remove accumulated bubbles under fluctuating electrical input, thereby improving PEM EL system efficiency. An enhanced PEM EL equivalent circuit model incorporating bubble over-potential based on the oxygen volume fraction is developed. Considering the energy consumption of auxiliary equipment and the reduction in losses from mitigating the bubble effect, a numerical simulation evaluates the impact of flow rate variations on overall electrolysis energy consumption, leading to a comprehensive energy consumption model for the PEM EL system, incorporating electrical, chemical, and thermal energy conversions. The control objective is to maximize system efficiency by optimizing the water flow rate, with a performance-preset-based controller implemented in MATLAB/Simulink. The simulation results show that the controller can accurately track the target flow rate, and the dynamic regulation time improved by 1.5 s compared to the traditional performance constraint function, better matching the rate of change in electrical energy. Under the water flow control mode, hydrogen production increased by 6.6 L within 130 s of the simulation, available energy increased by 8.32 × 10<sup>6</sup> J, and the efficiency of the PEM EL system improved by 2.79%.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/273PEM electrolyzerbubble effectelectrolysis efficiencypreset performance methodwater flow control |
| spellingShingle | Liheng An Yizhi Tian Haikun Zhao Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect Energies PEM electrolyzer bubble effect electrolysis efficiency preset performance method water flow control |
| title | Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect |
| title_full | Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect |
| title_fullStr | Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect |
| title_full_unstemmed | Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect |
| title_short | Research on Water Flow Control Strategy for PEM Electrolyzer Considering the Anode Bubble Effect |
| title_sort | research on water flow control strategy for pem electrolyzer considering the anode bubble effect |
| topic | PEM electrolyzer bubble effect electrolysis efficiency preset performance method water flow control |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/18/2/273 |
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