Improving Green Hydrogen Production through Proton Exchange Membrane Electrolyzer Simulation Study
Authors: Kassim Zamzila , Shaffee Siti Nur Amira , Aminuddin Faris Akmal , Krishnan Ram Kumar , Ghapar Nor Azwani Abd , Russell Linnea , Perez Valentina Gonzalez , Sarawagi Anshuman 
Published: May 2024

PETRONAS has embarked upon hydrogen production technology development, such as Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers, to achieve an ambitious target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. This initiative aligns with PETRONAS and SLB’s aspiration to offer sustainable solutions in the energy business. In this journey, PETRONAS collaborated with SLB (vendor) in developing process simulation models and conducting analysis of the results/findings.

PEM electrolyzers are considered among the most favorable technologies for hydrogen generation. PEM electrolyzers already commercially available and present many advantages over other available water electrolysis technologies, including simplicity, higher current densities, solid electrolytes, and higher working pressures. They are expected to be a future alternative to conventional alkaline water electrolyzers in low-temperature applications.

This study focuses on PEM electrolyzers for hydrogen (H2) production by employing a comprehensive approach to investigate the behavior and performance of PEM electrolyzers through rigorous steady-state simulation. The aim is to validate the electrolyzer model in the process simulator Symmetry-iCON (SLB’s proprietary software), evaluate operational parameters, and predict system behavior under various operating conditions.

The steady-state simulation results provide critical insights into PEM behavior and performance dynamics. Additionally, the findings emphasize the significant influence of operating temperature on H2 production rates and power consumption efficiency. An increase in the electrolyzer's operating temperature has been shown to increase H2 production rates while concurrently reducing power consumption per unit of H2 production. Furthermore, evaluating a decay rate of 4mA/cm2-h highlighted the impact of membrane deterioration over time, leading to a reduction in H2 production and increased power consumption per unit of H2. Remarkably accuracy with error rate below 1%, reinforcing the reliability of predictions.

The study's significance lies in the key role of steady-state simulation and analysis for predicting system stability, optimizing efficiency, and ensuring consistent hydrogen production. Understanding the correlation between operating temperature and H2 production rate enables the selection of optimal conditions for improved efficiency. Additionally, the decay rates assist in predicting long-term performance trends, facilitating maintenance decisions of PEM membranes to sustain optimal electrolyzer performance.

The key findings from this study were further used and integrated for scaling up the model into larger-scale systems, providing comprehensive insights into the broader implications of the electrolyzer's performance. The sensitivity analysis conducted further enriched the understanding of the electrolyzer's behavior under various operational parameters, offering crucial data for real-world applications.

In summary, this study not only reveals the behavior of PEM electrolyzers concerning operational parameters but also emphasizes their integration into larger-scale systems. The findings underscore the necessity of steady-state simulation in optimizing performance and advancing sustainable hydrogen production, aligning with PETRONAS's commitment to pioneering sustainable technology in achieving net-zero carbon emissions.