2026 International Symposium on Clean Energy and Advanced Materials ( CEAM2026)

Anion exchange membrane (AEM) alkaline water electrolysers are pivotal in large-scale green hydrogen production, offering benefits from established alkaline electrolysis techniques, renewable energy integration, and the use of economical, non-precious electrocatalysts. Yet, research has predominantly concentrated on electrocatalyst innovation rather than electrolyser design, which is equally crucial for performance enhancement. This study reveals the significant impact of flow channel designs, such as single serpentine, parallel, and pin types, on AEM electrolyser efficiency. We employed a three-dimensional (3D) volume of fluid (VOF) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model to simulate and analyze the two-phase flow dynamics, focusing on electrolyte and gas bubble mass transfer within these channels. A new design, termed 'Parpentine,' merges optimal electrolyte flow distribution, efficient bubble evacuation, and minimal pressure drop. The Parpentine design's effectiveness was validated experimentally using an operational AEM water electrolyser with Ni foam-based, and proprietary NiFe and NiMo electrodes. At a cell voltage of 2.5 V, we observed a hydrogen production efficiency increase ranging from 12.4% to 34.8% under 1 M and 5 M KOH conditions at ambient temperature. Hydrogen storage plays a pivotal role in complementing hydrogen generation, serving as a cornerstone technology within the broader hydrogen economy. In this study, a 3D transient-state CFD model is developed for describing the hydrogen desorption related heat/mass transfer phenomena inside a metal hydride-based hydrogen storage tank. The model involves flow, heat, and mass transfers related to hydrogen desorption in the storage tank. The model is validated against the temperature evolution data reported in the literature. The model is applied to a hydrogen storage tank where LaNi5 is used as a metal hydride. The typical thermochemical phenomena related to the hydrogen desorption process are illustrated, including temperature evolution and hydrogen-to-metal-atomic ratio (H/M) during desorption. Further, several new tank designs are proposed and evaluated, including new heat management system configuration and phase change material application, for promoting heat transfer efficiency and hydrogen absorption/desorption performance. The simulation results indicate that the new design of embedding heating tubes, embedded copper fins, and aluminum foam additives shows the highest desorption performance in terms of both heating rate and hydrogen desorption rate, where the desorption rate is improved by 50% compared to the other designs. This study highlights the significance of using modelling method to refine the structure design of electrolysis and hydrogen storage systems, thereby boosting their performance.

 

Process Modelling, Hydrogen Metallurgy, Hydrogen Storage