Performance evaluation of the anion exchange membrane based water electrolysis

International audienceAnion exchange membrane (AEM) electrolysis is the process for hydrogen generation using electricity. In this article, a 1D steady state model was introduced and elaborated to determine the performance of the AEM Electrolyser. In particular, the role of addition of Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) and its overall impact on the Multiphysics phenomenon inside the membrane electrode assembly was investigated. The simulation and experiments showed a significant reduction of the ion exchange / transport, ionic resistance as well as an improvement of the reaction kinetics at the electrodes upon addition of KOH to the pure water feedstock. The modelling efforts also resulted in a better understanding of the several Multiphysics phenomena that account for the kinetics and mass-transfer losses in the electrolyser. In particular, we also assess the fluid, geometric and flow parameters for the AEM electrolyser and the extent of their impact on the device performance