Tiny bubbles, big impact: Improving green hydrogen production

Green hydrogen is expected to play an important role in the transition away from fossil fuels, but today its production still requires large amounts of energy. In this PhD project, Andreas Nørgaard Jacobsen has studied one of the oldest and most widely used technologies for producing hydrogen from water: alkaline water electrolysis. Using advanced computer modelling, Andreas Nørgaard Jacobsen investigated how gas bubbles form and move inside the electrolyser cell. These bubbles may block active surfaces, disturb the flow, and increase the energy needed to produce hydrogen. The work shows that gas management inside the cell is crucial for performance. In particular, bubbles growing on the porous electrodes have a strong effect on both gas distribution and cell voltage. The project also shows how electrode dimensions and cell geometry influence efficiency and current distribution. The results can support the design of more efficient and durable electrolysers for future green hydrogen production.

The PhD study was completed at Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Faculty of Technical Sciences, Aarhus University.
 

This summary was prepared by the PhD student.

Time: Friday, 14th of August at 10:00
Place: Building 5510 room 103, Lecture Theatre INCUBA, IT-Huset, Aarhus University, Åbogade 15, 8200 Aarhus N
Title of PhD thesis: Prediction of Gas Transport in Alkaline Water Electrolyser Cells
Contact information: Andreas Nørgaard Jacobsen, e-mail: anj@mpe.au.dk, tel.: +45 21 18 16 72
Members of the assessment committee:
Dr. Dipl.-Ing. Martin Wörner, Institute of Catalysis Research and Technology, Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany

Assc. Professor Torsten Berning, Energy, Aalborg University, Denmark

Assc. Professor Ulrich Doll (chair), Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark

Main supervisor:
Assc. Professor Pourya Forooghi, Department of Mechanical and Production Engineering, Aarhus University, Denmark
 

Language: The PhD dissertation will be defended in English

The defence is public.

The PhD thesis is available for reading at the Graduate School of Technical Sciences/GSTS, Ny Munkegade 120, building 1521, 8000 Aarhus C.