A numerical study on effects of current density distribution, turbulence, and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) on electrolytic gas flow with application to alkaline water electrolysis (AWE)

A numerical study on effects of current density distribution, turbulence, and magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) on electrolytic gas flow with application to alkaline water electrolysis (AWE)

WoS Article

A three-phase Eulerian model is proposed to investigate the induced flow due to the generation of gas bubbles between two parallel plates without forced convection with application to alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). Earlier models, assuming a laminar regime, accurately predicted the multiphase flow near electrodes but struggled to calculate bulk liquid electrolyte flow away from them. Herein, we study the influences of electric current density distribution, turbulence effects, and the interaction between flow and the magnetic field known as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Based on our modeling results, the traditional method using an averaged uniform current density along electrodes (e.g. here 2000 A m􀀀 2) is feasible, as incorporating calculated nonuniform current distribution minimally affects the multiphase velocity field. The Lorentz force, originating from flow interaction with the (self-induced) magnetic field, is negligible compared to forces like drag or bubble dispersion. Consequently, MHD effects only become relevant upon introducing an external magnetic field. Including turbulence in the model, being minor in magnitude but non-negligible, significantly improves the predicted velocity profile. Modeling results are validated against an experiment.

A three-phase Eulerian model is proposed to investigate the induced flow due to the generation of gas bubbles between two parallel plates without forced convection with application to alkaline water electrolysis (AWE). Earlier models, assuming a laminar regime, accurately predicted the multiphase flow near electrodes but struggled to calculate bulk liquid electrolyte flow away from them. Herein, we study the influences of electric current density distribution, turbulence effects, and the interaction between flow and the magnetic field known as magnetohydrodynamics (MHD). Based on our modeling results, the traditional method using an averaged uniform current density along electrodes (e.g. here 2000 A m􀀀 2) is feasible, as incorporating calculated nonuniform current distribution minimally affects the multiphase velocity field. The Lorentz force, originating from flow interaction with the (self-induced) magnetic field, is negligible compared to forces like drag or bubble dispersion. Consequently, MHD effects only become relevant upon introducing an external magnetic field. Including turbulence in the model, being minor in magnitude but non-negligible, significantly improves the predicted velocity profile. Modeling results are validated against an experiment.

Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE); Electrolytic gas flow; Three-phase Eulerian model; Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD); Numerical simulation; Multiphase velocity field

Alkaline Water Electrolysis (AWE); Electrolytic gas flow; Three-phase Eulerian model; Magnetohydrodynamics (MHD); Numerical simulation; Multiphase velocity field

KARIMI-SIBAKI, E.; VAKHRUSHEV, A.; WU, M.; BOHÁČEK, J.; KHARICHA, A.

2025

20.07.2024

Elsevier

0263-8762

CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN

208

8

United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland

731

739

9

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0263876224004349

http://hdl.handle.net/11012/250082

1-s2.0-S0263876224004349-main