Numerical Investigation of a Cathode-Vapour-Feed Electrolyser for Space Applications

Institut

Lehrstuhl für Raumfahrtantriebe

Typ

Bachelorarbeit / Semesterarbeit /

Inhalt

theoretisch /  

Beschreibung

Topic
One of the most promising technologies in the ongoing search for high-performance green propellants is the Water Electrolysis Propulsion technology (WEP). The fundamental concept of such a system is to fill the spacecraft on ground with pure water instead of highly toxic propellants. Once the spacecraft is in orbit an electrolyser is used to split up the water into gaseous hydrogen and oxygen. The gases can then be used in a chemical or electrical thruster to propel the spacecraft.

One of the two key elements of such a propulsion system is the electrolyser. Currently, Proton-Exchange-Membrane (PEM) electrolysers operating in the Cathode Vapour Feed (CVF) configuration are considered to be the most promising electrolysis technology for WEP. However, such electrolysers are still in development and their optimal design parameters are not yet fully understood. Hence, a numerical simulation of an existing a CVF electrolyser using COMSOL Multiphysics shall be conducted, while varying essential design parameters. The study shall investigate the water diffusion through the various layers of the electrolyser as well as the impact of the varying design parameters on the electrolyser’s performance. In addition, the simulation results shall be compared with existing testing data for verification.

The goal of this thesis is therefore to establish a working simulation environment and to gain an improved knowledge for the optimal design of a CVF electrolyser.

Tasks

• Familiarization with the WEP and CVF electrolyser technology
• Theoretical investigation of specific areas of the mass transport mechanisms inside a CVF electrolyser (i.e. diffusion mechanisms)
• Familiarization with COMSOL Multiphysics and its Electrolyzer Module
• Derivation of a representative model of the electrolysers flow field to be used in the simulation
• Setup of the simulation and verification against known reference cases
• Adaptation of the simulation to the Cathode-Vapour-Feed electrolyser
• Simulation of the electrolyser with varying design parameters
• Evaluation of simulation results and correlation with experimental test data
• Documentation and presentation of the work

Contact
Sören Heizmann, M.Sc.
E-Mail: s.heizmanntum.de

Voraussetzungen

Application

Please send us your:

• current transcript of records
• curriculum vitae (CV)

Requirements for the thesis

• interest in numerical simulation
• experience in numerical simulation and COMSOL Multiphysics is a plus
• interest in electrochemistry and/or hydrogen technologies

Verwendete Technologien

Numerical Simulation, COMSOL Multiphysics, Electrochemistry, Hydrogen Technology, Spaceflight

Möglicher Beginn

sofort

Kontakt

Sören Heizmann, M.Sc.
Raum: Ottobrunn, Lise-Meitner-Str. 8, 01.9379.133
Tel.: +49 (89) 289 - 55592
s.heizmanntum.de