LAPSE:2025.0475
Published Article
LAPSE:2025.0475
Model-based Operability and Safety Optimization for PEM Water Electrolysis
June 27, 2025
Abstract
In this paper, we present a systematic approach to quantify the safe operating window of a proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) system considering energy intermittency and varying hydrogen demand. The PEMWE model has been developed based on first principles, with the polarization curve validated against a lab-scale experimental setup. The impact of key operational variables is investigated which include voltage, inlet temperature, and water flowrate (utilized for both feed and system cooling). Emphasis is given on operating temperature, a safety-critical variable, as its elevation can pose significant hydrogen safety risks within both the electrolyzer cells and the storage system. The impact of temperature on process safety is quantified via a risk index considering the fault probability and consequence severity. Process operability analysis is employed to assess the achievability of a safe and feasible region for design and operations. This analysis provides a comprehensive framework to optimize PEMWE systems for enhanced operational flexibility and robust performance with application to modular hydrogen production using renewable energy sources.
In this paper, we present a systematic approach to quantify the safe operating window of a proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) system considering energy intermittency and varying hydrogen demand. The PEMWE model has been developed based on first principles, with the polarization curve validated against a lab-scale experimental setup. The impact of key operational variables is investigated which include voltage, inlet temperature, and water flowrate (utilized for both feed and system cooling). Emphasis is given on operating temperature, a safety-critical variable, as its elevation can pose significant hydrogen safety risks within both the electrolyzer cells and the storage system. The impact of temperature on process safety is quantified via a risk index considering the fault probability and consequence severity. Process operability analysis is employed to assess the achievability of a safe and feasible region for design and operations. This analysis provides a comprehensive framework to optimize PEMWE systems for enhanced operational flexibility and robust performance with application to modular hydrogen production using renewable energy sources.
Record ID
Keywords
Operability Analysis, Risk Assessment, Sustainable Hydrogen Production, Water Electrolysis
Suggested Citation
Dantas B, Akundi SS, Liu Y, Braniff A, Niknezhad SS, Faisal K, Pistikopoulos EN, Lima FV, Tian Y. Model-based Operability and Safety Optimization for PEM Water Electrolysis. Systems and Control Transactions 4:2007-2012 (2025) https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.132227
Author Affiliations
Dantas B: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Akundi SS: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station
Liu Y: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station
Braniff A: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Niknezhad SS: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Faisal K: Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Pistikopoulos EN: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Lima FV: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Tian Y: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Akundi SS: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station
Liu Y: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station
Braniff A: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Niknezhad SS: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Faisal K: Mary Kay O’Connor Process Safety Center, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Pistikopoulos EN: Texas A&M Energy Institute, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA; Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX, USA
Lima FV: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
Tian Y: Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, USA
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Journal Name
Systems and Control Transactions
Volume
4
First Page
2007
Last Page
2012
Year
2025
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Version Comments
Original Submission
Other Meta
PII: 2007-2012-1372-SCT-4-2025, Publication Type: Journal Article
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LAPSE:2025.0475
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https://doi.org/10.69997/sct.132227
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References Cited
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