Journal of Siberian Federal University. Engineering & Technologies / Analysis of Electrolyzer Designs for Hydrogen Production in Industrial and Laboratory Environments

Full text (.pdf)
Issue
Journal of Siberian Federal University. Engineering & Technologies. 2026 19 (4)
Authors
Filimonova, Antonina A.; Sirotkina, Lilia V.; Chichirov, Andrey A.; Khairutdinov, Artur M.
Contact information
Filimonova, Antonina A. : Kazan State Power Engineering University (Russian Federation, Kazan); Sirotkina, Lilia V.: Kazan State Power Engineering University (Russian Federation, Kazan); Chichirov, Andrey A. : Kazan State Power Engineering University (Russian Federation, Kazan); Khairutdinov, Artur M.: Kazan State Power Engineering University (Russian Federation, Kazan);
Keywords
hydrogen energy; PEM electrolyze; alkaline electrolyze; energy efficiency; water electrolysis
Abstract

The development of hydrogen energy necessitates the improvement of water electrolysis technologies and optimization of electrolysis cells in order to increase energy efficiency and reduce operating costs. The aim of the work was to compare the performance characteristics of a diaphragm less alkaline electrolyze with monopolar inclusion of electrodes and a proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyze with a bipolar configuration, from the perspective of their applicability for laboratory research and potential scaling. Two experimental facilities have been developed and studied: an alkaline electrolyze based on a KOH solution and a PEM electrolyzer that provides separate measurement of hydrogen and oxygen volumes by varying current and pressure. The alkaline system demonstrated a linear dependence of the gas output on the current, but revealed limited suitability for the production of pure hydrogen due to mixing of products and reverse reactions. At the same time, the PEM design ensured an H₂ purity of over 99.9 %, compliance with Faraday’s laws and stability of parameters under increased pressure. The results obtained confirmed the decisive influence of the design on the efficiency of electrolysis: a diaphragm less alkaline electrolyze is rational mainly for research tasks, while a bipolar PEM electrolyze demonstrates industrial prospects and optimal characteristics for environmentally friendly and scalable hydrogen production when integrated with renewable energy sources

Pages
489–501
EDN
ZAXWFW
Paper at repository of SibFU
https://elib.sfu-kras.ru/handle/2311/158568

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