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@PHDTHESIS{Renz:1041605,
author = {Renz, Stefanie},
title = {{M}ethodological {A}pproach {E}nabling the {T}wo-phase
{F}low {I}nvestigation in {A}lkaline {E}lectrolysis under
{D}emanding {C}onditions},
volume = {661},
school = {RWTH Aachen University},
type = {Dissertation},
address = {Jülich},
publisher = {Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH Zentralbibliothek, Verlag},
reportid = {FZJ-2025-02339},
isbn = {978-3-95806-821-6},
series = {Schriften des Forschungszentrums Jülich Reihe Energie $\&$
Umwelt / Energy $\&$ Environment},
pages = {IX, 252},
year = {2025},
note = {Dissertation, RWTH Aachen University, 2024},
abstract = {In this examination, a methodological approach is developed
for the investigation of the two-phase flow behavior of an
alkaline electrolysis cell using multiphase particle image
velocimetry. Typically, imaging techniques or transparent
cells are used to investigate the gas bubble behavior inside
electrochemical cells. Certain drawbacks of these methods
urge the necessity for a universally applicable two-phase
flow investigation method for alkaline electrolysis cells.
Therefore, a method is developed which is able to
investigate both phases (liquid and gaseous) using a
transparent half-cell. The half cell is capable of
simulating the alkaline electrolysis two-phase flow behavior
on anode or cathode side separately. By exchanging the
electrolyte solution for a model electrolyte solution with
the same density and viscosity as potassium hydroxide, the
two-phase flow investigation can be done at lower
temperatures than the usual alkaline electrolysis operation
temperature. This is especially advantageous at temperatures
above boiling point where pressurized operation is necessary
because, with the proposed measurement method, the necessity
of operating the electrolysis cell under pressure is
avoided. Additionally, the exchange of potassium hydroxide
to a less corrosive model electrolyte solution prevents the
used transparent cell from getting dull from highly
concentrated lye. The simulated cell is operated with
equivalent volumes of nitrogen gas instead of hydrogen and
oxygen for safety reasons. For method validation, the NeXT
(Neutron and X-Ray Tomograph) device at Institute
Laue-Langevin (ILL) in Grenoble is used to observe the gas
bubbles forming and moving inside the flow channel of an
alkaline electrolysis cell. For the first time, a temporal
resolution of 0.02 seconds could be achieved for an active
cell area of several cm2. Measurement methods like neutron
radiography are a powerful tool to analyze the gas bubble
behavior inside alkaline electrolysis flow cells, but has
limited accessibility. For both measurement methods, neutron
radiography measurements and multiphase particle image
measurements, cells of the same flowfield geometry are used.
For the comparison of both investigation methods, an
alkaline water electrolysis single cell is operated at
different operation conditions. In this work, the results of
both measurement methods are shown and compared. The
applicability of an experimentally ”simulated”
electrolysis cell, measured with multiphase particle image
velocimetry measurements, is shown, as well as the
assumptions, prerequisites, and limitations of the
simulation of the two-phase flow of an alkaline electrolysis
cell. Using the simulated electrolysis half-cell is
advantageous compared to neutron radiography measurements
because smaller gas bubbles can be identified. Especially
for difficult operation conditions like in alkaline
electrolysis at intermediate temperatures, where
measurements like neutron radiography are extremely
difficult to realize, a flow behavior analysis method, which
is easy to apply, is helpful. Additionally, the flow
behavior of electrochemical flow cells can be optimized for
improved electrolysis cell designs and higher efficiencies.
This examination is the first step towards a simpler
investigation of the two-phase flow behavior of
electrochemical cells with the application example of a low
temperature alkaline electrolysis zero-gap cell, with the
potential to extend the method to intermediate temperature
alkaline electrolysis or any other electrochemical device
that forms gas bubbles.},
cin = {IET-4},
cid = {I:(DE-Juel1)IET-4-20191129},
pnm = {1231 - Electrochemistry for Hydrogen (POF4-123)},
pid = {G:(DE-HGF)POF4-1231},
typ = {PUB:(DE-HGF)3 / PUB:(DE-HGF)11},
urn = {urn:nbn:de:0001-2505121038103.565400670875},
doi = {10.34734/FZJ-2025-02339},
url = {https://juser.fz-juelich.de/record/1041605},
}