拉伸网流道结构对碱性水电解槽流动与电化学特性影响的模拟研究

Simulation study on the influence of expanded mesh flow channel structure on the flow and electrochemical characteristics of alkaline water electrolyzers

  • 摘要: 碱性电解水作为当前绿色氢能制备的关键技术之一,因其设备成本低、技术相对成熟等优势而被广泛应用. 然而,受限于传统电解槽结构中气体脱离效率低、极化损失大以及流动不均等问题,其整体能效与稳定性仍有较大提升空间. 新型流道支撑结构的拉伸网,在具备良好机械性能的同时,还能实现更加均匀的流场分布. 为了深入揭示碱性水电解槽内部的传质传热与电化学耦合机制,提升系统性能与结构设计水平,本文以拉伸网流道电解槽为对象,围绕几何结构(网孔长轴、网孔短轴、网高)与流动配置(流动方向)等关键参数,开展了基于多物理场耦合建模与优化分析的系统研究. 研究通过构建涵盖气液两相流、传热与电化学反应过程的三维多物理场耦合模型,分析电解槽内部复杂物理过程的相互作用机制. 模拟结果揭示了各设计变量对气泡脱除效率、局部电流密度分布及小室压降的影响规律,为拉伸网流道碱性水电解槽流动与电化学性能优化提供指导方向.

     

    Abstract: Addressing global challenges such as the depletion of fossil fuels and environmental pollution requires the development of clean energy for sustainable development. Hydrogen energy, with its zero-carbon emission and broad applicability, is considered a key pathway to reshape the future energy landscape. Alkaline water electrolysis, a key technology for clean energy production, is widely used due to its low equipment cost and relatively mature technology. However, conventional electrolyzer designs still face significant challenges, including liquid separation efficiency, high polarization losses, and uneven flow distribution, which limit the overall energy efficiency and operational stability of the system. Therefore, optimizing the electrode structure and fluid flow configuration to reduce local overpotential and enhance bubble detachment efficiency is crucial for improving the performance of the electrolyzer. The expanded mesh turbulence-inducing structure has attracted widespread attention in alkaline water electrolyzers due to its excellent flow-guiding capability and ease of fabrication. The shape, size, and arrangement of its mesh openings determine the flow path of the electrolyte, influence bubble generation and migration, thereby regulating the uniformity of the electrochemical reactions and overall system performance. The major axis length, minor axis length, and height of the mesh units are easily adjustable parameters in both flow channel design and mesh fabrication, forming the basis for structural optimization and parametric investigation of expanded mesh. To gain deeper insights into the coupled mechanisms of mass transfer, heat transfer, and electrochemical reactions within alkaline electrolyzers, and to enhance both system performance and structural design, this study examines electrolyzers with expanded mesh structures. This study systematically investigates key design parameters, including geometric factors (mesh opening slope length, minor axis length, and mesh height) and flow configurations (flow direction), using a multiphysics coupling approach. A three-dimensional multiphysics model is developed that integrates two-phase gas–liquid flow, heat transfer, and electrochemical reaction processes to clarify the interactions among the complex physical phenomena inside the cell. The numerical study consists of three main steps: electrochemical initialization, coupled simulation of the flow and thermal fields, and post-processing analysis. The results reveal the influence of structural variables on bubble removal efficiency, local current density distribution, and system pressure drop. Reducing both the major and minor axis lengths increases current density; moderately lowering the mesh height enhances flow disturbance and gas removal; and adopting counter-flow configurations promotes bubble detachment, thereby improving electrolysis performance. At an applied voltage of 2 V, the counter-flow arrangement achieved a 6.2% higher current density than the co-flow configuration, demonstrating superior electrochemical performance. Reducing the major and minor axis lengths increased the current density to 417 mA·cm−2 and 422 mA·cm−2, corresponding to improvements of 9.1% and 13.7%, respectively. The optimal mesh height yielded a current density of 420 mA·cm−2, representing enhancements of 14.4% and 11.4% compared to excessively high and low mesh heights, respectively.

     

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