US-Turkey Cooperative Research: Hydrogen Production by Photovoltaic Powered Electrolysis

本奖项旨在表彰马萨诸塞州波士顿东北大学机械、工业和制造工程系Olusegun Ilegbusi博士与土耳其奈杰市奈杰德大学机械工程系Mahmut Mat博士之间的合作项目。本项目是一项理论和实验相结合的研究，旨在了解碱性电解槽中氢气的发展和气泡的流体动力学。其他要研究的参数包括电流密度、外加电位、电解液和电极材料、阳极、阴极和膜之间的间距，以及温度和环境压力。建立了电解过程的两相数学模型。该模型将考虑在阳极和阴极发生的热量和传质、浓度和离子传输、电场和化学反应。将设计和执行实验来验证和改进数学模型。东北大学将使用激光多普勒测速仪(LDV)测量流体速度、气体分数和气泡生长速率。这项研究的最终目标是研究和开发通过流体动力强化来提高电解制氢效率的方法。适用范围：氢气是最有前景的替代能源之一。关于如何量化和有效利用这种能源，系统调查有限。两位合作者计划结合他们在实验工作和数学建模方面的专业知识来研究这个有趣的科学问题。美国PI拥有丰富的经验，并可以使用东北大学的广泛设施。这位土耳其科学家在两相传热的数学建模方面拥有丰富的经验。这项研究将提高我们对电解利用水和光伏太阳能生产氢气所涉及的过程的理解。这项研究将有助于为土耳其以及可能为其他发展中国家建立具有成本效益的氢能生产和使用的技术框架。

0138182Ilegbusi Description: This award is for support of a cooperative project between Dr. Olusegun Ilegbusi, Department of Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, Massachusetts and Dr. Mahmut Mat, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Nigde University, Nigde, Turkey. This project is a combined theoretical and experimental study to understand hydrogen development and the hydrodynamics of bubbles in an alkaline electrolyzer. Other parameters to be investigated include current density, applied potential, electrolyte and electrode materials, spacing between the anode, cathode and membrane, and temperature and ambient pressure. A two-phase mathematical model will be developed for the electrolytic process. The model will consider heat and mass transfer, concentrations and ion transport, electricity field, and chemical reaction occurring at the anode and the cathode. Experiments will be designed and performed to validate and improve the mathematical model. The fluid velocity, gas fraction, and bubble growth rate will be measured using Laser Doppler Velocimeter (LDV) at Northeastern University. The ultimate goal of this research is to investigate and develop methods to increase the efficiency of electrolytic production of hydrogen by means of hydrodynamic enhancements. Scope: Hydrogen is one of the promising alternative sources of energy. There is limited systematic investigation on how to quantify and efficiently exploit this energy. The two collaborators plan to combine their expertise in experimental work and mathematical modeling to study this interesting scientific problem. The US PI has considerable experience and has access to extensive facilities at Northeastern University. The Turkish scientist has strong experience in mathematical modeling of two phase heat transfer. This research should improve our understanding of the processes involved in electrolysis to produce hydrogen using water and photovoltaic solar energy. The research will help in establishing the technical framework for cost-effective production and usage of hydrogen energy in Turkey and potentially for other developing countries.