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Optimization of Flow Channel Design with Porous Medium Layers in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Cell

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  • Wei-Hsin Chen

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
    Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan)

  • Yaun-Sheng Wang

    (Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan)

  • Min-Hsing Chang

    (Department of Energy Engineering, National United University, Miaoli 360, Taiwan
    Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Tatung University, Taipei 104, Taiwan)

  • Liwen Jin

    (Institute of Building Environment and Sustainable Technology, School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China)

  • Lip Huat Saw

    (Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Tunku Abdul Rahman University, Kajang 43000, Malaysia)

  • Chih-Chia Lin

    (Hydrogen Energy Department, Low-Carbon Energy & Energy Storge Technology Division, Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan 71150, Taiwan)

  • Ching-Ying Huang

    (Hydrogen Energy Department, Low-Carbon Energy & Energy Storge Technology Division, Green Energy and Environment Research Laboratories, Industrial Technology Research Institute, Tainan 71150, Taiwan)

Abstract

This study aims to optimize the flow channel design for a proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cell (PEMEC) to minimize the pressure drop across the cell. The pattern of parallel flow channels is considered with a dual-porous layer structure sandwiched between the flow channel plate and the catalyst layer. Four geometric factors are considered in the optimization analysis, including the width of the flow channel, the depth of the flow channel, the particle diameter of the large-pore porous layer, and the particle diameter of the small-pore porous layer. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) is used to simulate the flow field, and based on the results of the CFD simulation, the Taguchi method is employed to analyze the optimal flow channel design. The importance of the factors is further analyzed by the analysis of variance (ANOVA) method. Three inlet velocities are assigned in the Taguchi analysis, which are 0.01, 0.1332, and 0.532 m/s, and then an orthogonal array is constructed and analyzed for each inlet flow condition. It is found that the optimal combination of the factors is the depth of the flow channel 1 mm, the width of the flow channel 3 mm, the particle diameter of the large-pore porous layer 0.212 mm, and the particle diameter of the small-pore porous layer 0.002 mm. The pressure drop across the PEMEC is minimized at the condition with the optimal combination of the factors. The ANOVA analysis shows that the depth of the flow channel exhibits the most significant impact on the pressure drop, while the other factors play minor roles only.

Suggested Citation

  • Wei-Hsin Chen & Yaun-Sheng Wang & Min-Hsing Chang & Liwen Jin & Lip Huat Saw & Chih-Chia Lin & Ching-Ying Huang, 2023. "Optimization of Flow Channel Design with Porous Medium Layers in a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-14, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:15:p:5642-:d:1203699
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    References listed on IDEAS

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