Simulation of an innovative flow-field design based on a bio-inspired pattern for pem water electrolysis

Electrolysis paired with renewable energy sources emerges as a highly auspicious method for green hydrogen production. Within the spectrum of electrolysis approaches, the Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer (PEMWE) has garnered considerable attention due to its capacity for producing compressed, high-purity hydrogen. The design of bipolar plates and their channel patterns notably influence the performance and durability of the PEM water electrolyzer. Well-designed flow fields play a pivotal role in ensuring the uniform distribution of pressure and velocity within the stack, enabling high-pressure operation capabilities and facilitating high current densities. In this study, a precise leaf bio-inspired geometry is employed as a novel bipolar plate channel pattern, featuring a circular cross-section of 13.85 square centimeters. A comprehensive three-dimensional numerical model using COMSOL Multiphysics software was developed. Simulation outcomes demonstrate robust agreement when compared against previously simulated experimental data from published works. After a comparison of five different leaf bio-inspired models and traditional models, the result was obtained. The findings underscore that the exact leaf flow field model manifests the most uniform velocity profile, lower pressure drop, superior pressure distribution, and heightened mixture homogeneity in contrast to traditional models. According to the polarization curves obtained at the end of the numerical study, it was concluded that the exact leaf bio-inspired flow field design is positioned as a preferred option compared to other traditional designs.