Multiphysics Modelling Flow Disturbance Optimization of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis Under Bubble Effects

Abstract

In Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis (PEMWE), the two-phase flow distribution in the anode field significantly affects overall electrolysis performance. Based on visualized experimental data, in this paper, the reaction kinetics equations were theoretically revised, and a three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal, multi-physics coupled model of the electrolysis was developed and experimentally validated. Four different configurations of rectangular turbulence promoters were designed within the anode serpentine flow field and compared with a conventional serpentine flow field (SFF) in terms of their multi-physics distribution characteristics. The results showed that, in the double-row rectangular block serpentine flow field (DRB SFF), the uniformity of liquid water saturation, temperature, and current density improved by 16.6%, 0.49% and 40.8%, respectively. The normal mass transfer coefficient increased by a factor of 6.3, and polarization performance improved by 6.98%. A cross-arranged turbulence promoter structure was further proposed. This design maintains effective turbulence while reducing flow resistance and pressure drop, thereby enhancing mass transfer efficiency and overall electrolysis performance through improved bubble fragmentation.