Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
7708983 | International Journal of Hydrogen Energy | 2017 | 13 Pages |
Abstract
The practical dynamic properties and operational limitations of a commercial differential pressure 1Â Nm3hâ1 proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer are studied from the viewpoint of renewable power production. Measured values from a 5Â kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) power plant and PEM electrolyzer are analyzed to study factors affecting the control of PEM water electrolyzers operating as a part of renewable power production systems. Specific energy consumption of the PEM stack as a function of stack hydrogen outlet pressure is estimated based on measured values from two different measurement systems. Electrical energy consumption of the stack does not show any notable increase as the hydrogen outlet pressure is increased from 2.0Â MPa to 4.0Â MPa. However, the stack specific energy consumption increases by a maximum of 0.2Â kWh/Nm3 when hydrogen outlet pressure is increased from 2.0Â MPa to 4.0Â MPa. The increase in specific energy consumption at high differential pressure operation is due to a decrease in Faraday efficiency. Selection and control of the hydrogen outlet pressure can minimize the specific energy consumption and maximize the real hydrogen production in dynamic PEM water electrolyzer operation.
Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering
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Authors
Joonas Koponen, Antti Kosonen, Vesa Ruuskanen, Kimmo Huoman, Markku Niemelä, Jero Ahola,