Comparison Between Turbulent and Laminar Bubbly-Flow for Modeling H2/H2O Separation

E. Amores Vera[1], J. Rodríguez Ruiz[1]
[1]Centro Nacional del Hidrógeno, Puertollano, Spain
Published in 2012

One of the most critical aspects on water electrolysis is gas-liquid separation, especially in systems with forced convection. The main problem of this kind of circulation is that a gas fraction could return to the electrolysis circuit. A suitable design of separator devices could be a solution in order to avoid a gas return to the electrolysis circuit. In this sense, the use of deflectors might reduce hydrogen suction by pump action. However, introduction of traps inside the separator could strongly influence the fluid dynamic of gas and liquids, and turbulence phenomena could be generated. Present work reports a comparison between laminar and turbulent bubbly-flow modules. The aim is to evaluate the differences between both modules, and if the adopted simplifications for laminar regime correctly describe the behavior of two-phase flow within the separator.