Parametric Study of PEM Water Electrolyzer for Green Hydrogen Production

Abstract: Hydrogen is emerging as a pivotal component of sustainable and eco-friendly energy systems, garnering increasing global attention, particularly within the industrial and transportation sectors. As nations strive towards net-zero emissions, green hydrogen production becomes paramount. Among hydrogen production methods, proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolysis stands out for generating green hydrogen by utilizing renewable energy sources to split water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen. It offers high-purity hydrogen, operates efficiently across a wide range of current densities, responds swiftly to changes, and is well-suited for integration with intermittent renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Various attempts have been made to simulate the PEM system, from models focusing on electrochemical reactions to those including fluid mechanics. This study focuses on single-phase flow combined with detailed chemical reactions for a typical single-cell PEM electrolyzer. A 3D numerical approach using COMSOL Multiphysics is utilized for a parametric study on system performance. The impact of configurational features of the membrane on hydrogen production is studied, with emphasis on the polarization curve as the main indicator, the electrolyte and electrode potentials, and hydrogen mole distribution. Our findings provide insights to enhance design and operational strategies, making hydrogen a viable and sustainable energy carrier for the future. Keywords: Green hydrogen, water electrolysis, PEM electrolyzer, membrane, fluid mechanics