Current and Temperature Distribution Measurement in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Water Electrolyzer Cell

A single polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) water electrolyzer cell is operated under cathode no flow, co flow and counter flow water recirculation configurations in this work. The polarization curve, electrochemical impedance spectrum (EIS) and current and temperature distribution of the PEM water electrolyzer cell are measured under different water recirculation configurations and different applied current. The experimental results show that the counter flow configuration brings about slightly better cell performance and lower polarization resistance. The current and temperature distribution pattern are similar under different water recirculation configurations and different applied current. However, the current and temperature distribution is more uniform under counter flow water recirculation, which could be related with smaller different between inlet and outlet water temperature under counter flow configuration.