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Temperature optimization for improving polymer electrolyte membrane-water electrolysis system efficiency

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  • Scheepers, Fabian
  • Stähler, Markus
  • Stähler, Andrea
  • Rauls, Edward
  • Müller, Martin
  • Carmo, Marcelo
  • Lehnert, Werner

Abstract

Most of the hydrogen produced today is made using fossil fuels, making a significant contribution to global CO2 emissions. Although polymer electrolyte membrane water-electrolyzers can produce green hydrogen by means of excess electricity generated from renewable energy sources, their operation is still not economical. According to industry experts, the necessary cost reductions can be achieved by 2030 if system efficiency can be improved. The commonly stated idea is to improve efficiency by increasing the stack temperature, which requires the development of more resistant materials. This study investigates not only the efficiency of an electrolysis cell, but of the entire electrolysis process, including gas compression of hydrogen. The results indicate that an optimal stack temperature exists for every operating point. It is shown that the optimal temperature depends solely on the electrode pressure and cell voltage and can be analytically calculated. In addition, the temperature optimization leads to significantly reduced hydrogen permeation at low current densities. In combination with the pressure optimization, the challenging safety issues of pressurized electrolysis can be eliminated for the entire load range and, at the same time, the efficiency of the overall system be maximized.

Suggested Citation

  • Scheepers, Fabian & Stähler, Markus & Stähler, Andrea & Rauls, Edward & Müller, Martin & Carmo, Marcelo & Lehnert, Werner, 2021. "Temperature optimization for improving polymer electrolyte membrane-water electrolysis system efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 283(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:283:y:2021:i:c:s0306261920316603
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2020.116270
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    1. Toghyani, S. & Afshari, E. & Baniasadi, E. & Atyabi, S.A. & Naterer, G.F., 2018. "Thermal and electrochemical performance assessment of a high temperature PEM electrolyzer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 237-246.
    2. Witkowski, Andrzej & Rusin, Andrzej & Majkut, Mirosław & Stolecka, Katarzyna, 2017. "Comprehensive analysis of hydrogen compression and pipeline transportation from thermodynamics and safety aspects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 2508-2518.
    3. Tjarks, Geert & Gibelhaus, Andrej & Lanzerath, Franz & Müller, Martin & Bardow, André & Stolten, Detlef, 2018. "Energetically-optimal PEM electrolyzer pressure in power-to-gas plants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C), pages 192-198.
    4. Fabian Scheepers & Markus Stähler & Andrea Stähler & Edward Rauls & Martin Müller & Marcelo Carmo & Werner Lehnert, 2020. "Improving the Efficiency of PEM Electrolyzers through Membrane-Specific Pressure Optimization," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-21, February.
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    6. Sadiq, Muhammad & Alshehhi, Reem J. & Urs, Rahul Rajeevkumar & Mayyas, Ahmad T., 2023. "Techno-economic analysis of Green-H2@Scale production," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 219(P1).
    7. Lin, Rui & Lu, Ying & Xu, Ji & Huo, Jiawei & Cai, Xin, 2022. "Investigation on performance of proton exchange membrane electrolyzer with different flow field structures," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 326(C).
    8. Ren, He & Liu, Hongwei & Gu, Yajing & Yang, Jinhong & Lin, Yonggang & Hu, Weifei & Li, Wei, 2024. "Design and simulation of an off-grid marine current-powered seawater desalination and hydrogen production system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
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    10. Salari, Ali & Shakibi, Hamid & Soleimanzade, Mohammad Amin & Sadrzadeh, Mohtada & Hakkaki-Fard, Ali, 2024. "Application of machine learning in evaluating and optimizing the hydrogen production performance of a solar-based electrolyzer system," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C).
    11. Liu, Hongwei & Ren, He & Gu, Yajing & Lin, Yonggang & Hu, Weifei & Song, Jiajun & Yang, Jinhong & Zhu, Zengxin & Li, Wei, 2023. "Design and on-site implementation of an off-grid marine current powered hydrogen production system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 330(PB).
    12. Kang, Zhenye & Wang, Hao & Liu, Yanrong & Mo, Jingke & Wang, Min & Li, Jing & Tian, Xinlong, 2022. "Exploring and understanding the internal voltage losses through catalyst layers in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis devices," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    13. Kumar, S. Shiva & Ni, Aleksey & Himabindu, V. & Lim, Hankwon, 2023. "Experimental and simulation of PEM water electrolyser with Pd/PN-CNPs electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction: Performance assessment and validation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 348(C).
    14. Jivan Thakare & Jahangir Masud, 2022. "Magnéli TiO 2 as a High Durability Support for the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Catalysts," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-10, June.
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