Three-dimensional numerical simulation of two-phase flow in a proton exchange membrane electrolysis cell and study of the effect of flow channel depth

The flow channel play a critical role in water-gas transfer within an electrolysis cell, directly impacting its mass and heat transfer capacity. While most studies concentrate on the overall shape and structure of the flow channel, limited attention has been given to its dimensions. This paper investigates the influence of various operational conditions and changes in flow channel depth on the electrolytic cell using a three-dimensional numerical model of PEMEC. Results indicate that higher temperatures enhance electrolysis cell performance, whereas the impact of water inlet velocity on the polarization curve is insignificant. Under constant inlet velocity, increasing the depth of the flow channel improves mass and heat transfer as well as electrolysis performance, whereas, under constant water flow rate, changes in inlet velocity have a greater effect than alterations in flow channel depth.