From Concept to Prototype: How Simcenter Amesim Supports the Development of PEM Electrolyzers

Figure 1: Functional diagram of a PEM electrolyzer

Simcenter Amesim stands out as the ideal platform to address these challenges, offering multidomain modeling and simulation capabilities.

Designing a PEM electrolyzer involves balancing several variables:

• Energy efficiency: Maximizing energy conversion while minimizing losses.
• Thermal management: Avoiding overheating that could compromise performance and component lifespan.
• Hydrogen production: Predicting instantaneous hydrogen production relative to the current supplied, given the polarization curve, number of cells, and active area.

To address these complexities, it is essential to have software that enables modeling and simulation of interactions between various subsystems, including the electrical circuit, thermal balance, and chemical processes within the cells.

Simcenter Amesim is a multiphysics simulation platform that enables:

1. Energy performance analysis:
   • Evaluate system efficiency under varying operating conditions.
   • Model the balance of reactions occurring at the cathode and anode.
2. Thermal management optimization:
   • Design cooling systems to ensure optimal operating temperatures.
   • Analyze heat generation and improve component lifespan by designing cooling systems capable of dissipating excess heat.
3. System dynamics study:
   • Model system response to sudden changes in operating conditions.
   • Simulate startup and shutdown scenarios to ensure stable and safe operations.
4. Hydrogen production prediction:
   • Estimate hydrogen production under operating conditions.
   • Evaluate the impact of different designs on overall performance.
5. Water production prediction:
   • Estimate membrane humidity levels considering phenomena like electro-osmosis, percolation, and diffusion.
   • Assess the impact of membrane humidity levels on the overall performance of the electrolyzer.

Figure 2 illustrates a PEM electrolyzer model built using the libraries available in Simcenter Amesim. The green element represents the cathode, anode, and membrane of the electrolyzer. It is connected to a variable ideal current source (top), a thermal element (bottom), hydrogen tanks (right), an oxygen tank, and a water source (yellow, left).

Figure 2: Diagram of a system including a PEM electrolyzer in Simcenter Amesim

Once characterized with a polarization curve, membrane parameters, and stack configuration, the model can evaluate key variables such as:

• Electrical current consumption
• Thermal power generation
• Instantaneous electrical efficiency
• Water content in the membrane
• Hydrogen production rate
• Oxygen production rate

These variables are shown in Figure 3. The results are based on a stack of 180 cells, with an input current profile characterized by daily cycles, typical of a solar panel system.

Figure 3: Simulation results (top to bottom): electrical current consumption, thermal power generation, instantaneous electrical efficiency, water content in the membrane, hydrogen production rate, and oxygen production rate.

The objective of the model was to predict hydrogen production over three days. The simulation required only a few seconds, making Simcenter Amesim particularly suitable for optimization studies or testing various operating scenarios.

The presented schematic represents the minimal configuration of an electrolyzer. However, the system can be extended by adding, for example, electrical circuit models, cooling circuits, or porous conduits between the electrolyzer and tanks to simulate diffusive effects occurring in the Gas Diffusion Layer.

Competitive Advantages of Simcenter Amesim

Simcenter Amesim offers several features that make it particularly well-suited for PEM electrolyzer design:

• Preconfigured libraries: Models specific to electrolyzers, fluids, and thermal management.
• Intuitive interface: Reduces the time required to configure and validate models.
• Multidomain simulations: Easily integrate electrochemical analysis with broader energy management systems.
• Advanced optimization: Tools for automated system parameter optimization.

Conclusion

For companies designing and manufacturing PEM electrolyzers, Simcenter Amesim is an indispensable ally. Its ability to deliver detailed and reliable simulations accelerates product development, reduces prototyping costs, and improves overall system efficiency. If you’d like to learn how Simcenter Amesim can support your next project, contact us for a personalized demo.