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The reaction goes through two half reactions called anode and cathode reactions<br />

under an applied potential across the MEA. The <strong>water</strong> decomposition reaction shown below<br />

in equation 1.2 occurs on the anode side;<br />

1<br />

H 2O<br />

2<br />

2<br />

+<br />

−<br />

←⎯→ 2H + O2<br />

+ e<br />

(1.2)<br />

Where <strong>water</strong> splits into oxygen, protons and electrons over a suitable catalyst on the<br />

anode and the protons go through PEM electrolyte to the cathode side while the electrons<br />

go to an external power supply in order to complete the electrical circuit. At the cathode<br />

side, the protons coming <strong>from</strong> the anode through PEM electrolyte react with electrons<br />

supplied by the external power supply on a suitable catalyst to produce <strong>hydrogen</strong> gas<br />

molecule with the following reaction equation 1.3;<br />

+ −<br />

2H + 2e<br />

←⎯→<br />

H<br />

2<br />

(1.3)<br />

It seems that the <strong>water</strong> electrolysis is very straight forward to accomplish and also<br />

suitable for the integration with the renewable energy conversion technologies. But in<br />

practice, there are many obstacles needed to be overcome so that the integrated electrolysis<br />

systems are viable choice for the <strong>production</strong> of <strong>hydrogen</strong>. This is especially obvious for the<br />

stack electrolyzer <strong>cells</strong> which contain many single <strong>cells</strong> to achieve the desired level of<br />

<strong>hydrogen</strong> <strong>production</strong> rate. For example, uniform <strong>water</strong> distribution, durable and active<br />

catalysts and also good contact between catalyst and membrane could affect the efficiency<br />

of the electrolyzer cell. In addition to the basic material problems, the engineering know-<br />

how to construct the PEM electrolyzers plays the critical role on the overall electrolyzer<br />

efficiency.<br />

The ultimate goal in this thesis is to achieve <strong>hydrogen</strong> <strong>production</strong> via photovoltaic<br />

panels <strong>using</strong> our own designed and constructed electrolysis stack in campus area. Thesis<br />

can be divided into two main parts. In the first part a single PEM electrolysis cell was<br />

constructed and effects of current density, temperature and <strong>water</strong> flow rate on voltage<br />

responses were investigated to find the working characteristic of a single electrolysis cell.<br />

7

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