X-ray measurements of gas distribution in a zero gap alkaline water electrolyzer

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • On Yu Dung - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)
  • Stephan Boden - , Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) (Author)
  • Albertus W. Vreman - , Eindhoven University of Technology, Nobian Industrial Chemicals B.V (Author)
  • Niels G. Deen - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)
  • Markus Schubert - , Chair of Chemical Process Engineering, Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf (HZDR) (Author)
  • Yali Tang - , Eindhoven University of Technology (Author)

Abstract

X-ray radioscopy was used to measure the 2D projected dynamic void fraction in a zero/narrow gap alkaline water electrolyzer at a spatial resolution of 15μm, for narrow gap sizes up to 300μm and current densities up to 0.54 A/cm2. As expected, the void fraction in the bulk was found to increase along the cell height and with increasing current density. The void fraction measured in the gap region (the space between the diaphragm and the electrode and its holes) was always larger than in the bulk. It hardly depended on the gap size at current densities below 0.3 A/cm2. The lowest cell potential was measured for zero gap. No evidence of isolating gas pockets/films in the gaps was found. Liquid crossover and oxygen void fraction exceeding the hydrogen void fraction occurred for porous plate electrodes, but these phenomena were suppressed for perforated foil electrodes.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)835-844
Number of pages10
JournalInternational journal of hydrogen energy
Volume105
Publication statusPublished - 4 Mar 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Sustainable Development Goals

Keywords

  • Alkaline water electrolysis, Bubbles, Gas volume fraction, X-ray, Zero gap