Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe; Chinonso Hubert Achebe; Arinze Everest Chinweze

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe, Chinonso Hubert Achebe, Arinze Everest Chinweze

Published in American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (Volume 7, Issue 6)

Received: 27 November 2022 Accepted: 26 December 2022 Published: 10 January 2023

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Abstract

Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier that is capable of storing excess generated renewable energy. It can be utilised in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy which is a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. This paper focuses on the design process of an alkaline water electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water. A single cell, zero-gap, unipolar alkaline water electrolyzer, operating with 30 wt.% KOH solution as electrolyte is designed for a capacity of about 306 g of water. The design of the cell geometry was modified to enable improved hydrogen production. Thermal and stress simulations were performed with Autodesk Inventor Nastran 2019 on some modelled components of the designed electrolyzer cell, with the working temperature at about 80°C to 90°C, while maintaining the operating pressure at about 1.0 bar. Thermal and stress distributions from the results agree with the choice of material for the components, and confirms polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polypropylene plastic suitable for alkaline electrolyzer construction. Von Mises stress evaluation obtained maximum stress values of 0.143 Mpa and 0.138 Mpa, as well as 0.126 Mpa and 0.157 Mpa, for the endplates and spacers for polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene plastics respectively. The stress values are well within the safe limits for both PTFE and PP materials which have yield strength of 35 Mpa and 24 Mpa respectively.

Published in	American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering (Volume 7, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
Page(s)	89-98
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Alkaline, Electrolysis, Electrolyzer, Hydrogen, Water

References

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[6]	Fuel Cell Store (2017). Introduction to electrolyzers. Retrieved from https://www.fuelcellstore.com/blog-section/introduction-to-electrolyzers on June 27, 2021.
[7]	Amores, E., Rodriguez, J. and Carreras, C. (2014). Influence of operation parameters in the modeling of alkaline water electrolyzers for hydrogen production. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (39) 13063-13078.
[8]	Haug, P., Kreitz, B., Koj, M. and Turek, T. (2017). Process modeling of an alkaline water electrolyzer. Institute of Chemical and Electrochemical Process Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, Leibnizstr, Germany. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1-19.
[9]	Kuleshov, V. N., Kuleshov. N. V., Grigoriev, S. A., Udris, E. Y., Millet, P. and Grigoriev, A. S. (2016). Development and characterization of new nickel coatings for application in alkaline water electrolysis. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 41, 36-45.
[10]	Brauns, J. and Turek, T. (2020). Alkaline water electrolysis powered by renewable energy: a review. Institute of Chemical and Electrochemical Process Engineering, Clausthal University of Technology, Leibnizstr, Germany (8) 248.
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[15]	Schalenbach, M., Kasian, O. and Mayrhofer, K. (2018). An alkaline water electrolyzer with nickel electrodes enables efficient high current density operation. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 1-7.
[16]	Phillips, R. and Dunnill, C. W. (2019). Zero gap cell design for alkaline electrolysis. A PHD Thesis, Energy Safety Research Institute, Swansea University Prifysgol Abertawe.
[17]	De Silva, Y. S. K. and Middleton, P. H. (2020). Design of an alkaline electrolysis stack. Faculty of Engineering and Science, University of Agder.
[18]	Chakik, F., Kaddami, M. and Mikou, M. (2017). Effect of operating parameters on hydrogen production by electrolysis of water. Faculty of Science and Technology, University Hassan 1, Settat, Morocco. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy.
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APA Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe, Chinonso Hubert Achebe, Arinze Everest Chinweze. (2023). Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 7(6), 89-98. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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ACS Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe; Chinonso Hubert Achebe; Arinze Everest Chinweze. Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. Am. J. Mech. Ind. Eng. 2023, 7(6), 89-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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AMA Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe, Chinonso Hubert Achebe, Arinze Everest Chinweze. Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. Am J Mech Ind Eng. 2023;7(6):89-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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@article{10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12,
  author = {Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe and Chinonso Hubert Achebe and Arinze Everest Chinweze},
  title = {Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production},
  journal = {American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering},
  volume = {7},
  number = {6},
  pages = {89-98},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  abstract = {Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier that is capable of storing excess generated renewable energy. It can be utilised in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy which is a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. This paper focuses on the design process of an alkaline water electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water. A single cell, zero-gap, unipolar alkaline water electrolyzer, operating with 30 wt.% KOH solution as electrolyte is designed for a capacity of about 306 g of water. The design of the cell geometry was modified to enable improved hydrogen production. Thermal and stress simulations were performed with Autodesk Inventor Nastran 2019 on some modelled components of the designed electrolyzer cell, with the working temperature at about 80°C to 90°C, while maintaining the operating pressure at about 1.0 bar. Thermal and stress distributions from the results agree with the choice of material for the components, and confirms polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polypropylene plastic suitable for alkaline electrolyzer construction. Von Mises stress evaluation obtained maximum stress values of 0.143 Mpa and 0.138 Mpa, as well as 0.126 Mpa and 0.157 Mpa, for the endplates and spacers for polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene plastics respectively. The stress values are well within the safe limits for both PTFE and PP materials which have yield strength of 35 Mpa and 24 Mpa respectively.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production
AU  - Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe
AU  - Chinonso Hubert Achebe
AU  - Arinze Everest Chinweze
Y1  - 2023/01/10
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
T2  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
SP  - 89
EP  - 98
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-6060
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
AB  - Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier that is capable of storing excess generated renewable energy. It can be utilised in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy which is a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. This paper focuses on the design process of an alkaline water electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water. A single cell, zero-gap, unipolar alkaline water electrolyzer, operating with 30 wt.% KOH solution as electrolyte is designed for a capacity of about 306 g of water. The design of the cell geometry was modified to enable improved hydrogen production. Thermal and stress simulations were performed with Autodesk Inventor Nastran 2019 on some modelled components of the designed electrolyzer cell, with the working temperature at about 80°C to 90°C, while maintaining the operating pressure at about 1.0 bar. Thermal and stress distributions from the results agree with the choice of material for the components, and confirms polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polypropylene plastic suitable for alkaline electrolyzer construction. Von Mises stress evaluation obtained maximum stress values of 0.143 Mpa and 0.138 Mpa, as well as 0.126 Mpa and 0.157 Mpa, for the endplates and spacers for polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene plastics respectively. The stress values are well within the safe limits for both PTFE and PP materials which have yield strength of 35 Mpa and 24 Mpa respectively.
VL  - 7
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Chinonso Hubert Achebe

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria
Arinze Everest Chinweze

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe, Chinonso Hubert Achebe, Arinze Everest Chinweze. (2023). Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, 7(6), 89-98. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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ACS Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe; Chinonso Hubert Achebe; Arinze Everest Chinweze. Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. Am. J. Mech. Ind. Eng. 2023, 7(6), 89-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

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AMA Style

Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe, Chinonso Hubert Achebe, Arinze Everest Chinweze. Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production. Am J Mech Ind Eng. 2023;7(6):89-98. doi: 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12,
  author = {Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe and Chinonso Hubert Achebe and Arinze Everest Chinweze},
  title = {Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production},
  journal = {American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering},
  volume = {7},
  number = {6},
  pages = {89-98},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ajmie.20220706.12},
  abstract = {Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier that is capable of storing excess generated renewable energy. It can be utilised in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy which is a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. This paper focuses on the design process of an alkaline water electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water. A single cell, zero-gap, unipolar alkaline water electrolyzer, operating with 30 wt.% KOH solution as electrolyte is designed for a capacity of about 306 g of water. The design of the cell geometry was modified to enable improved hydrogen production. Thermal and stress simulations were performed with Autodesk Inventor Nastran 2019 on some modelled components of the designed electrolyzer cell, with the working temperature at about 80°C to 90°C, while maintaining the operating pressure at about 1.0 bar. Thermal and stress distributions from the results agree with the choice of material for the components, and confirms polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polypropylene plastic suitable for alkaline electrolyzer construction. Von Mises stress evaluation obtained maximum stress values of 0.143 Mpa and 0.138 Mpa, as well as 0.126 Mpa and 0.157 Mpa, for the endplates and spacers for polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene plastics respectively. The stress values are well within the safe limits for both PTFE and PP materials which have yield strength of 35 Mpa and 24 Mpa respectively.},
 year = {2023}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Design of an Alkaline Water Electrolyzer for Hydrogen Production
AU  - Chijindu Ikechukwu Igwe
AU  - Chinonso Hubert Achebe
AU  - Arinze Everest Chinweze
Y1  - 2023/01/10
PY  - 2023
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
DO  - 10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
T2  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
JF  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
JO  - American Journal of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
SP  - 89
EP  - 98
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2575-6060
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajmie.20220706.12
AB  - Hydrogen is an excellent energy carrier that is capable of storing excess generated renewable energy. It can be utilised in a fuel cell to produce electrical energy which is a sustainable alternative to conventional energy sources. This paper focuses on the design process of an alkaline water electrolyzer for the production of hydrogen through the electrolysis of water. A single cell, zero-gap, unipolar alkaline water electrolyzer, operating with 30 wt.% KOH solution as electrolyte is designed for a capacity of about 306 g of water. The design of the cell geometry was modified to enable improved hydrogen production. Thermal and stress simulations were performed with Autodesk Inventor Nastran 2019 on some modelled components of the designed electrolyzer cell, with the working temperature at about 80°C to 90°C, while maintaining the operating pressure at about 1.0 bar. Thermal and stress distributions from the results agree with the choice of material for the components, and confirms polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon), and polypropylene plastic suitable for alkaline electrolyzer construction. Von Mises stress evaluation obtained maximum stress values of 0.143 Mpa and 0.138 Mpa, as well as 0.126 Mpa and 0.157 Mpa, for the endplates and spacers for polytetrafluoroethylene and polypropylene plastics respectively. The stress values are well within the safe limits for both PTFE and PP materials which have yield strength of 35 Mpa and 24 Mpa respectively.
VL  - 7
IS  - 6
ER  -

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