Effect of Flow Channel Shape and Operating Temperature on the Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Cell

Proton exchange membrane electrolyzer cells (PEMECs)are consideredto be an environmentally friendly system for producing high-purityhydrogen through water electrolysis. However, they require optimalconfigurations and operating conditions for energy and cost-effectivepractical applications. In this study, four different types of flowpaths inside a PEMEC were proposed, namely, parallel, single-channel,four-channel, and parallel grid, and the effect of the flow path shapeinside the PEMEC on hydrogen evolution reaction was examined. In addition,the optimal operating temperature was determined via electrochemicalexperiments. The experimental results reveal that the parallel gridflow field yielded the highest current density of 118.04 mA/cm(2) and hydrogen production at a volume flow rate of 6.6 mL/minowing to a relatively higher electrochemical surface area of 1.11657cm(2) at the optimum operating temperature of 40 & DEG;Ccompared with other flow fields. Computational fluid dynamics analysisresults confirmed that at 40 & DEG;C the parallel grid flow fieldhas an advantageous path shape for electrolyte distribution insidethe PEMEC, and consequently, the appropriate flow rate facilitatesthe transport of reactants and products. The findings of this studycan be used as a reference for PEMEC research in terms of the selectionof a suitable flow field geometry and temperature for PEMECs operatingunder different conditions.