Shunt Currents in an Alkaline Electrolyzer Stack

Application ID: 113041


In an alkaline electrolyzer stack, all cells share the same electrolyte. As a result of all cells being in ionic contact, parasitic shunt currents flow between the cells through the manifolds and the electrolyte channels, on both the inlet and outlet side.

This example models a secondary current distribution in a stack comprising 20 cells. The electricity-to-hydrogen coulombic and energy efficiencies for the stack are computed, as well as the individual shunt currents entering or exiting each cell.

This model example illustrates applications of this type that would nominally be built using the following products: