Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO

Abstract This study investigates the hydrogen‒oxygen crossover behavior induced by membrane perforation in alkaline electrolyzers, assessing explosion risks during operation. Perforation defects were simulated using an experimental platform with transparent end plates to analyze the effects of perfo...

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Main Authors: Tianrun Yuan, Mengbai Ma, Jiyuan Wang, Xiaolei Bi, Shiqiang Wang, Bin Tao, Xuhai Pan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08017-y
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author Tianrun Yuan
Mengbai Ma
Jiyuan Wang
Xiaolei Bi
Shiqiang Wang
Bin Tao
Xuhai Pan
author_facet Tianrun Yuan
Mengbai Ma
Jiyuan Wang
Xiaolei Bi
Shiqiang Wang
Bin Tao
Xuhai Pan
author_sort Tianrun Yuan
collection DOAJ
description Abstract This study investigates the hydrogen‒oxygen crossover behavior induced by membrane perforation in alkaline electrolyzers, assessing explosion risks during operation. Perforation defects were simulated using an experimental platform with transparent end plates to analyze the effects of perforation diameter, position, and operating power on gas mixing. Results demonstrate that membrane perforation significantly increases HTO (Hydrogen to Oxygen), with severity dependent on perforation size and proximity to flow inlets/outlets. Maximum hydrogen-oxygen crossover occurs at high-flow-velocity zones due to flow field heterogeneity and gas accumulation. In addition, Lower operating power intensifies HTO, while higher load dilutes HTO through increased oxygen output. Based on the experimental data, a predictive regression model was developed, capable of forecasting HTO under different perforation conditions with high accuracy (R2 = 0.9499). The novelty lies in quantifying the correlation between diaphragm perforation and risk in alkaline electrolyzer, and providing reference for early fault detection and preventive maintenance.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2045-2322
language English
publishDate 2025-07-01
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series Scientific Reports
spelling doaj-art-a172e90e891242078486031cb7f9d1d22025-08-20T03:45:25ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-011511910.1038/s41598-025-08017-yInfluence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTOTianrun Yuan0Mengbai Ma1Jiyuan Wang2Xiaolei Bi3Shiqiang Wang4Bin Tao5Xuhai Pan6State Key Laboratory of Chemical SafetyState Key Laboratory of Chemical SafetyCollege of Safety Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech UniversityState Key Laboratory of Chemical SafetyState Key Laboratory of Chemical SafetyState Key Laboratory of Chemical SafetyCollege of Safety Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech UniversityAbstract This study investigates the hydrogen‒oxygen crossover behavior induced by membrane perforation in alkaline electrolyzers, assessing explosion risks during operation. Perforation defects were simulated using an experimental platform with transparent end plates to analyze the effects of perforation diameter, position, and operating power on gas mixing. Results demonstrate that membrane perforation significantly increases HTO (Hydrogen to Oxygen), with severity dependent on perforation size and proximity to flow inlets/outlets. Maximum hydrogen-oxygen crossover occurs at high-flow-velocity zones due to flow field heterogeneity and gas accumulation. In addition, Lower operating power intensifies HTO, while higher load dilutes HTO through increased oxygen output. Based on the experimental data, a predictive regression model was developed, capable of forecasting HTO under different perforation conditions with high accuracy (R2 = 0.9499). The novelty lies in quantifying the correlation between diaphragm perforation and risk in alkaline electrolyzer, and providing reference for early fault detection and preventive maintenance.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08017-yHydrogen productionMembrane perforationAlkaline electrolyzerSafetyGas purity
spellingShingle Tianrun Yuan
Mengbai Ma
Jiyuan Wang
Xiaolei Bi
Shiqiang Wang
Bin Tao
Xuhai Pan
Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
Scientific Reports
Hydrogen production
Membrane perforation
Alkaline electrolyzer
Safety
Gas purity
title Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
title_full Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
title_fullStr Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
title_full_unstemmed Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
title_short Influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on HTO
title_sort influence of membrane perforation in alkaline electrolytic cells on hto
topic Hydrogen production
Membrane perforation
Alkaline electrolyzer
Safety
Gas purity
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-08017-y
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