Publicação
Modelling Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolysers for Solar Fuels Production
| Resumo: | The thesis focused on the modelling, validation, and development of electrolysers in COMSOL Multiphysics for hydrogen and syngas (H2 + CO) production. Two different models were implemented: a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyser and a co-electrolysis cell for the simultaneous reduction of CO2 and H2O. A novel water electrolyser design was investigated, in which the anode is thermally integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) panel. The electrolyser model was therefore developed using a zero-gap configuration, incorporating a thermal-conductive layer on the anode side to ensure efficient heat management and enhance thermal coupling with the PV panel. Its performance was validated by comparing polarisation curves with the experimental results, showing close agreement and confirming the reliability of the implemented approach. The direct connection of the PV panel silicon-layer with the anode was found to be more cost-effective and of simpler design than using an intermediate thermal-conducive plate between electrolyser and PV systems for coupling, without bearing any significant losses in heat transfer. Furthermore, reducing electrode thickness increased current density up to 5.70 A·cm-2 in the fully optimised configuration. In case of the CO2/H2O co-electrolyser, reproducing the setup of an experimental device established by the CO2RED project team, the variation of electrode and chamber thicknesses demonstrated promising results for syngas production. With a thin, porous Zn cathode and chambers near zero-gap conditions, the system achieved a current density of 861 mA·cm-2, showing the potential of the model for efficient syngas generation. These results highlight the capability of numerical modelling software regarding the design and optimisation of electrolysers, supporting sustainable pathways for renewable hydrogen and syngas pro duction. |
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| Autores principais: | Lopes, João Miguel Albino |
| Assunto: | Electrolyser modelling CO2 co-electrolysis Hydrogen and syngas production COMSOL Multiphysics Zero-gap configuration Heat management |
| Ano: | 2025 |
| País: | Portugal |
| Tipo de documento: | dissertação de mestrado |
| Tipo de acesso: | acesso embargado |
| Instituição associada: | Universidade Nova de Lisboa |
| Idioma: | inglês |
| Origem: | Repositório Institucional da UNL |
| Resumo: | The thesis focused on the modelling, validation, and development of electrolysers in COMSOL Multiphysics for hydrogen and syngas (H2 + CO) production. Two different models were implemented: a proton exchange membrane (PEM) water electrolyser and a co-electrolysis cell for the simultaneous reduction of CO2 and H2O. A novel water electrolyser design was investigated, in which the anode is thermally integrated with a photovoltaic (PV) panel. The electrolyser model was therefore developed using a zero-gap configuration, incorporating a thermal-conductive layer on the anode side to ensure efficient heat management and enhance thermal coupling with the PV panel. Its performance was validated by comparing polarisation curves with the experimental results, showing close agreement and confirming the reliability of the implemented approach. The direct connection of the PV panel silicon-layer with the anode was found to be more cost-effective and of simpler design than using an intermediate thermal-conducive plate between electrolyser and PV systems for coupling, without bearing any significant losses in heat transfer. Furthermore, reducing electrode thickness increased current density up to 5.70 A·cm-2 in the fully optimised configuration. In case of the CO2/H2O co-electrolyser, reproducing the setup of an experimental device established by the CO2RED project team, the variation of electrode and chamber thicknesses demonstrated promising results for syngas production. With a thin, porous Zn cathode and chambers near zero-gap conditions, the system achieved a current density of 861 mA·cm-2, showing the potential of the model for efficient syngas generation. These results highlight the capability of numerical modelling software regarding the design and optimisation of electrolysers, supporting sustainable pathways for renewable hydrogen and syngas pro duction. |
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