Influence of Magnetic Field Direction on Electrolyzer Efficiency and Bubble Behavior in Alkaline Water Electrolysis with Magnetic Field

Applying a magnetic field to a water electrolyzer is one of the methods to improve energy conversion efficiency from electrical energy to hydrogen energy. In this study, experiments of alkaline water electrolysis with a magnetic field are carried out to elucidate the influence of a magnetic field direction and a magnetic flux density on cell voltage and bubble movement. In the case with B⊥electrode, the cell voltage decreases with the increase in current density and magnetic flux density, because the bubbles are removed from the electrode and the electrolyte is mixed with Lorentz-force. In the case with B∥electrode, the cell voltage is suppressed in low current density conditions. However, in high current density conditions, the bubbles are trapped in the electrolyte and the cell voltage is increased.