Hydrogen Production and Fuel Cell Simulation for Innovation
When direct measurement is impractical or impossible, engineers and scientists turn to modeling and simulation. The COMSOL Multiphysics® software is the platform product for creating physics-based models and simulation applications, and features a consistent user experience across engineering applications and physics phenomena.
By using COMSOL Multiphysics® for modeling hydrogen and energy production through electrolysis, gasification, solar power, steam reforming, pyrolysis, and fuel cells, designs can be created and analyzed virtually, taking into account all factors that impact performance and cost.
Real-World Hydrogen Production and Fuel Cell Modeling Examples
Fuel Cell EVs
Toyota Research Institute of North America pursues hydrogen-powered vehicles with a simulation-driven generative design method for developing fuel cell flow field plates.
Electrolyzer Technology
Researchers compare alkaline and alkaline anion exchange membrane electrolyzers to understand the influence of the components and ultimately maximize the current density.
Biofuel
A team at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory analyzes the pyrolysis process with the goal of improving large-scale reactor performance and more efficient mass production of biofuels.
Methane Reforming
Researchers improve an existing design of a solar thermal collector to maximize the absorption of solar heat, which drives a dry methane reforming reaction to produce H2 and CO from CH4 and CO2.
Photoelectrochemical Cells
A researcher built a custom simulation app to provide an entry point for drift-diffusion simulation of solar cell devices without requiring foreknowledge of modeling and simulation.