Comparative experimental study of alkaline and proton exchange membrane water electrolysis for green hydrogen production

IF 10.1 1区工程技术 Q1 ENERGY & FUELS

Applied Energy Pub Date : 2024-11-20 DOI:10.1016/j.apenergy.2024.124936

Jingyi Wang , Jinbin Yang , Yu Feng , Jing Hua , Zhengjian Chen , Mei Liao , Jingran Zhang , Jiang Qin

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Abstract

Alkaline electrolysis (ALK) and polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysis (PEM) are two pivotal technologies supporting the advancement of green hydrogen production. Understanding their distinct characteristics is essential for optimizing production systems, with potential implications for future hybrid electrolysis strategies. However, experimental studies on green hydrogen electrolysis are limited, particularly comparative investigations between these two systems. This study conducts a comprehensive comparative experimental analysis of ALK and PEM systems with an identical hydrogen production rate of 1400 ml/min. It focuses on electro-heat-mass coupled dynamics across steady-state, cold-start, controlled dynamic processes, and solar power integration. Results reveal that PEM consumes less energy for hydrogen production, ranging from 4.1 to 4.3 kWh/Nm³, compared to 4.6–4.8 kWh/Nm³ for ALK. This study proposes that cold start time be characterized by two specific time points: reaching rated electrical parameters and achieving operational conditions. The second time point is typically longer and represents the primary limiting factor in the cold start process. Dynamic responses during ramp-up and ramp-down processes are notably asymmetric, with longer durations observed during ramp-down. Heat and gas purity responses to electrical changes also follow distinct patterns, with hydrogen to oxygen (HTO) stabilizing slower than temperature and oxygen to hydrogen (OTH). This facilitates the potential that the lower load limit can be reduced under dynamic conditions compared to steady states, as demonstrated by ALK and PEM adjusting from 50 % to 30 % and from 40 % to 10 % respectively in solar integration. Both systems exhibit agile ramp rate, with ALK adjusting its current by 70 %/s and PEM by 90 %/s. Both systems show viability for solar power integration, with PEM being more immediately suitable, while ALK requires further investigation to effectively manage rising HTO levels. This study provides an experimental data foundation and insights for advancing green hydrogen production.

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碱性和质子交换膜电解水用于绿色制氢的对比实验研究

碱性电解（ALK）和聚合物电解质膜电解（PEM）是推动绿色制氢的两项关键技术。了解它们的不同特性对于优化生产系统至关重要，并对未来的混合电解战略具有潜在影响。然而，有关绿色电解氢的实验研究非常有限，尤其是这两种系统之间的比较研究。本研究对相同制氢速率（1400 毫升/分钟）下的 ALK 和 PEM 系统进行了全面的对比实验分析。研究重点是稳态、冷启动、受控动态过程和太阳能发电集成的电-热-质耦合动力学。结果表明，PEM 制氢的能耗较低，为 4.1 至 4.3 kWh/Nm3，而 ALK 制氢的能耗为 4.6 至 4.8 kWh/Nm3。本研究建议冷启动时间以两个特定的时间点为特征：达到额定电气参数和达到运行条件。第二个时间点通常较长，是冷启动过程中的主要限制因素。升温和降温过程中的动态响应明显不对称，降温过程中的持续时间更长。热量和气体纯度对电能变化的响应也遵循不同的模式，氢气对氧气（HTO）的稳定速度比温度和氧气对氢气（OTH）的稳定速度慢。与稳定状态相比，这有助于降低动态条件下的负载下限，太阳能集成中的 ALK 和 PEM 分别从 50% 调整到 30%，从 40% 调整到 10%，就证明了这一点。两个系统都表现出敏捷的斜率，ALK 的电流调整速度为 70%/s，PEM 为 90%/s。两种系统都显示出太阳能发电集成的可行性，其中 PEM 系统更适合立即使用，而 ALK 系统则需要进一步研究，以有效管理不断上升的 HTO 水平。这项研究为推进绿色制氢提供了实验数据基础和见解。

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来源期刊

Applied Energy 工程技术-工程：化工

CiteScore

21.20

自引率

10.70%

发文量

1830

审稿时长

41 days

期刊介绍： Applied Energy serves as a platform for sharing innovations, research, development, and demonstrations in energy conversion, conservation, and sustainable energy systems. The journal covers topics such as optimal energy resource use, environmental pollutant mitigation, and energy process analysis. It welcomes original papers, review articles, technical notes, and letters to the editor. Authors are encouraged to submit manuscripts that bridge the gap between research, development, and implementation. The journal addresses a wide spectrum of topics, including fossil and renewable energy technologies, energy economics, and environmental impacts. Applied Energy also explores modeling and forecasting, conservation strategies, and the social and economic implications of energy policies, including climate change mitigation. It is complemented by the open-access journal Advances in Applied Energy.