In-Operando Neutron Radiography Studies of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzers

Abstract

Polymer electrolyte membrane water electrolysis cells were studied using in-operando neutron radiography, revealing insights into the gas-water distribution inside the cells. Cells were operated at current densities up to 2 A/cm² and for water flow rates ranging from 0.5 ml/(min cm²) up to 5 ml/(min cm²). The averaged gas amount in the flow channels was quantified, revealing that the ratio of gas to water inside the channels decreases for an increasing water flow rate on the anode side. This examination also demonstrates that neutron radiography is very suitable to study gas/water two-phase flow phenomena in running electrolysis cells.