The effect of serpentine geometry on the performance of an anion exchange membrane water electrolyzer: A numerical study
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY, cilt.219, ss.1-16, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 219
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2026.153921
- Dergi Adı: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Artic & Antarctic Regions, Chemical Abstracts Core, Chimica, Compendex, Environment Index, INSPEC
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.1-16
- Çukurova Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Anion exchange membrane (AEM) water electrolyzer is a promising technology for cost-efficient hydrogen production. In this study, the effects of different flow-field designs on AEM water electrolyzer performance were investigated using a 3D, two-phase, non-isothermal numerical model. These designs, including one-, two-, three-, and four-path serpentine flow channels, were evaluated by pressure drop, H2 volume fraction, temperature distribution, and current density. The simulations were conducted at 333 K, 1 atm, 1 M KOH with a flow rate of 100 mL/min, and cell potentials of 1.5–2.1 V. The results showed that the one-path serpentine design provided ∼12 × 104 Pa pressure drop, 2.8 m/s velocity, and 2.47 A/cm2 current density. Four-path serpentine channels reduced pressure drop (∼5.5 kPa), enhanced H2 volume fraction (∼0.147), and homogenized heat distribution. The outcomes of this study are expected to suggest novel design guidelines for scalable AEM electrolyzer stacks, enlarging further customary single-path serpentine or parallel flow field arrangements and making a contribution to the reasonable optimization of next-generation, cost-effective hydrogen generation techniques.