Multiphysics Modeling and Parameter Analysis of Industrial Power-to-Hydrogen Electrolyzers

This paper proposes the multiphysics model of the industrial power-to-hydrogen electrolyzers. Based on the multi-energy flow in the industrial power-to-hydrogen electrolysis plant, the coupling among the multiphysics in the electrolyzer, including the electrochemical reaction, the flow field, the mass transfer and the temperature field, are unveiled. The governing equations and coupling mechanisms of the physical fields are introduced in detail, which are further illustrated according to the simulation results in COMSOL Multiphysics. Furthermore, several critical parameters, including the cell voltage, temperature and the concentration of the electrolyte, are analyzed based on the proposed model. Through the analysis on the current density- voltage characteristics, it can be concluded that the operating of the industrial electrolyzer usually faces the trade-off between the hydrogen production rate and the efficiency. The proposed model provides multiphysics explanations on the industrial statistics of the electrolyzer.