Model-Based Analysis of Low Stoichiometry Operation in Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis

Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis cells are typically operated with high water flow rates in order to guarantee the feed supply for the reaction, the hydration of the ionomer phase and to homogenize the temperature distribution. However, the influence of low flow rates on the cell behavior and the cell performance cannot be fully explained. In this work, we developed a simple 1+1-dimensional mathematical model to analyze the cell polarization, current density distribution and the water flow paths inside a cell under low stoichiometry condition. The model analysis is in strong context to previous experimental findings on low water stoichiometry operations. The presented analysis shows that the low water stoichiometry can lead to dry-out at the outlet region of the anode channel, while a water splitting reaction is also present there. The simulation results show that the supply with water in this region is achieved by a net water transport from the cathode to the anode catalyst layer resulting in higher local proton resistances in the membrane and the anode catalyst layer.