High speed video analysis of membraneless electrolyzers

This project will utilize in situ high speed video (HSV) as a tool to investigate and optimize the performance of parallel plate membraneless flow cell electrolyzers used for water electrolysis. Such membraneless electrolyzers are of interest as a low-cost technology to convert renewable electricity from solar or wind into storable chemical fuels such as hydrogen. Initially, the student will design and construct the test cell by additive manufacturing. High speed video will be used to track bubble curtain behavior, void fraction, bubble size distributions, and bubble velocity. Gas chromatography will be used to measure hydrogen product purity. Experiments will be conducted to systematically view the influence of current density, fluid flow rate, and cell/electrode geometries on the aforementioned parameters. Furthermore, a computational fluid dynamics model will be constructed and its results compared with the experimental results. This project will require previous programming experience and coursework in fluid dynamics, electrochemistry, and reactor design.