Improving PEM water electrolyser's performance by magnetic field application

This paper demonstrates the significant and positive effect of applying a magnetic field on the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysers (PEMWE). A magnetizer and a transparent PEMWE cell are used to observe the effect of the magnetic field at variable water flow rates on the PEMWE performance. The presence of the magnetic field introduces Lorentz force which results in a significant improvement in the electrolyser performance. The magnetic flux density is varied between 0 T and 0.5 T, while the water flow rate is varied from 100 ml min(-1) to 300 ml min(-1) to study the effect and relationship between the two parameters and the performance of the PEMWE. Under a 0.5 T magnetic field and 300 ml min(-1) flow rate, a 33% increase in the cell performance is achieved compared to the conventional operation at the same flow rate. The positive effect is explained by the introduction of Lorentz force from the magnetic field to the operating PEMWE. The improvement here is due to the relaxation and pumping effect of the magnetic field on the electrode surface which results in enhancing oxygen bubbles removal and lowering mass transport polarisation. Moreover, the enhanced oxygen bubbles removal is expected to increase the lifetime of the electrolyser as a result of the reduced contact between the produced oxygen and the anode materials.