Estudo de um eletrolisador bipolar alcalino visando a produção de H2.

Abstract

With the increase in global energy demand, along with the growing control of pollutant emissions responsible for climate changes, obviates the search for solutions for sustainable development. Therefore, hydrogen is presented as an alternative source because of its availability, production flexibility and having high purity. This work aims to characterize a alkaline bipolar electrolyzer for hydrogen production through water electrolysis. The system comprises a conventional small-powered bipolar electrolyzer with an electrolytic reactor formed by six unit cells and the electrolyte is a solution of potassium hydroxide (KOH). The signals were sent from the system via digital multimeter coupled to a computer and a current converter. The concentration ranged from 0.102 to 0.484 kg/L. During the tests, the best performance was with the following variables: voltage (12.0 VDC), current (7.72 A) and temperature (43.64°C). With a surface area of the catalytic electrode of 113.097 cm2, a hydrogen flow of 21,09 L/h is obtained with a current density of 0.0683 A/cm2. In these conditions, the faradic efficiency and the thermal efficiency was found to be 61.5% and 74.0%, respectively, ensuring the process according to the literature and industrial processes. In general, the goals were achieved, featuring a bipolar alkaline electrolyzer and getting a production of hydrogen through electrolysis of water efficiently.