Recently, a research team at Changzhou University and Sinopec Nanhua Company jointly advanced the project “Study on Flow-Field Characteristics and Coordinated Structural Optimization of Electrolyzers Under Multi-Physical-Field Coupling” and achieved phased results. The new-type structural electrolyzer prototype jointly developed by both parties has completed two rounds of type testing and been validated under multiple operating conditions, with key performance indicators such as energy consumption reaching an advanced level among comparable international products.
The electrolyzer is the core unit of a water electrolysis hydrogen production system, and its operating performance directly affects the system’s energy consumption, reliability, and overall economic benefits. At present, alkaline electrolyzers still face issues such as uneven internal flow-field distribution and local electrochemical reaction imbalance, which to some extent constrain low-cost, large-scale production of green hydrogen and the stable, efficient operation of equipment.
To address the relevant technical challenges, the Changzhou University research team and Sinopec Nanhua Company established a joint research mechanism, focusing on studies of internal flow-field characteristics of electrolyzers, multi-physical-field coupling mechanisms, and coordinated structural optimization.
Building on the research team’s technical accumulation in fluid mechanics, heat and mass transfer, and process equipment intensification, they established a research framework combining experiments with digital simulation. By adjusting fluid motion inside the electrode frame and the electrochemical reaction process, and repeatedly validating and optimizing design solutions based on flow-field simulation, they ultimately completed the development of the new-type structural electrolyzer prototype.
From June to July 2026, the prototype underwent type testing under actual industrial operating conditions at Sinopec Nanhua Company, successively completing 48-hour and 72-hour uninterrupted high-load operation assessments. The test results showed that under a current density of 2000A/m², the prototype operated steadily, with an average operating temperature of 60.27°C.
In terms of energy consumption, the prototype’s DC energy consumption performance was better than the Class I energy-efficiency limit of 4.3kWh/m³ specified in GB 32311—2015, Large and Medium-Sized Water Electrolysis Hydrogen Production Systems, demonstrating a relatively clear energy-saving effect, and its overall performance reached an advanced level among comparable international products.
This joint R&D achievement is a practical effort by Changzhou University to promote deep integration of industry, academia, and research, and to serve the national “dual-carbon” strategy. Going forward, both the university and the enterprise will continue to leverage the strengths of teaching and research as well as industrial platforms, accelerate the engineering and industrialisation application of new-type hydrogen production equipment, and provide technical support for popularize high-efficiency, energy-saving hydrogen production equipment and the localisation of hydrogen energy equipment.
