dc.description.abstract | This research is mainly about developing a hydrogen producing electrolyzer with the Proton Exchange Membrane(PEM), and designing a complete pressure controlling system. Throughout this research, I will discuss the increasing of performance and effectiveness of storage that this design can achieve under a highly pressurized environment. The main purpose is to match with the electric power generated from renewable energy, or to transform electricity generated by Utility Network in non-peak time into a storable Hydrogen energy.
The electrolyzer in this research accompanied with several advantages. First, the purity of hydrogen is able to get pure hydrogen by utilizing the PEM to separate cathode from anode without building a H2 purification system after reaction. Second, by utilizing self-generated gas, it can pressurize the reacting gaseous body without consuming extra energy. Thus, in calculation, the effectiveness of energy transferring could be fit in with energy saving design. Third, quantity of output will be increased with Multi-stacks.
This experiment was based on Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry, providing a gaseous separated environment with DuPont’s PEM, Nafion 117, to both sides of the reactor, which can perform a better mechanical strength. Also to develop a interior mechanism to prevent a leak-out under a storage purpose and pressure increasing environment, by using an anti-corrosion O-ring placed amount mechanisms to be completely hermetically sealed. Unlike fuel cells utilizing a flow plate, in order to come to a complete immersion and moistening, this reactor was structured with a dense Platinum-Titanium net.
This experiment was based on Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry, providing a gaseous separated environment with DuPont’s PEM, Nafion 117, to both sides of the reactor, which can perform a better mechanical strength. Also to develop a interior mechanism to prevent a leak-out under a storage purpose and pressure increasing environment, by using an anti-corrosion O-ring placed amount mechanisms to be completely hermetically sealed. Unlike fuel cells utilizing a runner, in order to come to a complete drench, this reactor was structured with a dense titanium net, that could reduce the decrease of electrolysis performance and electrolysis activity caused by attaching of bubbles. Mean time, in order to reach a visible effects of this experiment, I opened high pressure and high temperature durable window made from Polycarbonate on the surface of the electrolyzer for observation.
Through the analyzing of experiment data, which can tell that different current density result in different voltage responses. There are two major elements --- electrolyte concentration and current density. Within a lower electrolyte concentration, ion vector was also lower in a reaction. Although it could reach a same current density, there will be more electromotive energy needed to push the reaction. However, within a higher electrolyte concentration environment, a change of the trends of the reaction occurred. First, the higher electromotive force pushes the proton through PEM. Just right after the current density reach a reactable level, the electromotive force of response start to decrease. Not only the entire performance was upgraded, also, the reaction impedance caused by bubbles was decreased under a high pressured react. The design of self-pressuring system saved the cost of energy. More over, reduction reactions caused by the mixture of Hydrogen and Oxygen near the electrode, was also brought to a lowest level owing to the design of PEM, which improved the efficiency of this generator and the effectiveness of energy transferring.
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