Process description and discussion of an electrolysis

Since in this present work the hydrogen is produced using see water, desalination unit is required to
get rid of the impurities in water first then the normal water is pump by preferably centrifugal pump
to a electrolyzer where hydrogen will be produced, with oxygen as a biproduct (Kumar, An overview
of water electrolysis technologies for green hydrogen production, 2022). Various electrolysers
operate differently, mostly because of the various electrolyte materials used and the ionic species
they conduct. Regardless of the specific type (such as PEM, alkaline, or solid oxide), all electrolysers
operate on the same basic electrochemistry principles. The process of driving a non-
spontaneous chemical reaction using certain electrical power input is known as electrolysis. They all
consist of the electrochemical cell that consist of cathode (positive electrode) and anode (negative
electrode), electrodes, of which steel and iron are the most common type of electrodes used in the
electrolysis of water (Vanags, 2007). The chemical reactions that take place in the electrolysis of
water are oxidation and reduction. At the anode (positive electrode), oxidation takes place. The
creation of positively charged cations (ions with a positive charge) is caused by the loss of electrons
from the negatively charged ions or atoms of the electrolyte in this situation. Water electrolysis
produces oxygen gas (O2) and positively charged hydrogen ions (H+) when water molecules (H 2O)
lose electrons at the anode. The cathode, or negative electrode, is where reduction occurs. At the
cathode, positively charged electrolyte ions receive electrons from an external electrical circuit and
change into neutral atoms or molecules. When water is electrolyzed, hydrogen ions (H+) from the
anode side combine with electrons at the cathode to produce hydrogen gas (H 2). Proton electrolyser
membrane (PEM), alkaline electrolyser membrane and solid oxide cells operate in different ways.
The choice of equipment depends on criteria including the intended hydrogen production capacity,
purity requirements, energy source availability, and particular application needs. Each of these types
of electrolysers has advantages and disadvantages.

PEM operating principle

As of like all types of electrolyzers, it works on the basis of electrochemical reactions where here
protons (H+ ions) travel across a proton-conductive membrane (Kumar, Hydrogen production by
PEM water electrolysis – A review, 2019).The DC current density is between 10,000 and 20,000
amperes per square meter, or roughly five times that of an alkaline water hydrogen electrolyzer
(Guo, 2019). Moreover, the Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzer is composed of an
electrolysis chamber with two electrodes, a cathode and anode. These electrodes are usually
constructed of platinum or other electrochemically active materials such as catalysts. The PEM, a
specially developed solid polymer electrolyte membrane, is an essential component that separates
the anode and cathode. Only protons (H+ ions) and not electrons (e-) can travel through the PEM
since it is selective (Kumar, An overview of water electrolysis technologies for green hydrogen
production, 2022). The PEM electrolyser needs this membrane in order to separate the gases that
are hydrogen and oxygen. The electrolyser receives liquid purified or deionized water as its input,
which is water (H2O). The electrochemical reactions occur in the anode and cathode chambers
(Kibretexts Chemuistry, 2023). At the anode, water molecules undergo an oxidation process that
produces oxygen gas (O2) and positively charged hydrogen ions (H+), as well as the loss of electrons.
Reduction occurs as hydrogen ions that have already passed through the PEM interact with the
electrons at the cathode to produce hydrogen gas (H 2) when electrons from the external circuit are
fed to it. Because of the PEM's selective nature, protons can flow to the cathode, while electrons
move to the anode via an external circuit and take part in the water-splitting reaction that results in
oxygen gas (O2). The gases of hydrogen and oxygen are separately collected from their
corresponding electrode compartments and are ready for use, storage, or additional processing as
needed (Chi, 2018).

AEM operating principle

The three basic components of the alkaline water hydrogen production device are the alkaline water
hydrogen production system, the control cabinet, and the rectifier cabinet. An alkaline electrolyzer,
a hydrogen separator, an oxygen separator, a gas cooler, a lye circulation pump, a lye cooler, a water
storage tank, an alkali tank, control valves, and other parts are included in the alkaline water
hydrogen generator. The electrolyte is mixed uniformly in the alkali tank before being pumped
under pressure into the electrolytic tank to enter the full hydrogen generation system. The lye inflow
valve is closed and the power is turned on after the liquid level in the separator reaches the
predetermined level. After the alkali solution has been electrolyzed in the alkaline electrolyzer, the
hydrogen separator and the oxygen separator are introduced from the electrolyzer's hydrogen side
and oxygen side outlets, respectively, in a mixed state of gas and liquid. The gas is expelled after
cooling in the upper portion of the separator. Then, The liquid circulates as it flows higher and unites
at the bottom of the separator.

Since water is reduced during electrolysis as a result of the process, the hydrogen separator needs to
be frequently replenished with water. Alkali solution replenishment and regular checking of its
specific gravity are also required. Since the alkaline electrolyzer can only operate at the specified
pressure, the hydrogen generator must be gradually inflated to that level via the regulating valve at
first. As a result, the startup period lasts roughly an hour.

Solid oxide operating principle

A solid oxide electrolyzers operate at a high temperature, commonly between 500 and 900 degrees
Celsius (932 to 1652 degrees Fahrenheit), using a solid oxide ceramic electrolyte, typically yttria-
stabilized zirconia (YSZ) or scandia-stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) (Laguna-Bercero, 2008). Protons migrate
through the solid oxide electrolyte towards the cathode while hydrogen gas (H 2) on the fuel side
undergoes dissociation at the anode into protons (H+) and electrons (e-). While this is happening,
oxygen (O2) from the surrounding air is fed to the cathode, where oxygen ions (O 2-) join forces with
electrons from the external circuit to create oxygen gas (O 2). An electric current is produced as
electrons move from the anode to the cathode of the external circuit (Fuel cell, 2023). Due to their
high conversion efficiency and high-temperature operation, SOECs are suitable for green hydrogen
production, energy storage, and high-temperature industrial operations like steelmaking and
ammonia manufacture, albeit they necessitate tough materials and thermal control (Laguna-
Bercero, 2008).

References
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Chi, J. (2018). Water electrolysis based on renewable energy for hydrogen production. 390-394.

Guo, Y. (2019). Comparison between hydrogen production by alkaline water electrolysis and
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