Variational quantum algorithm for anion exchange across electrolyzer membrane

Fuente: arXiv
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Autores principales: Gubaev, Timur, Pfeffer, Philipp, Dreßler, Christian, Schumacher, Jörg
Formato: Preprint
Publicado: 2025
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author Gubaev, Timur
Pfeffer, Philipp
Dreßler, Christian
Schumacher, Jörg
author_facet Gubaev, Timur
Pfeffer, Philipp
Dreßler, Christian
Schumacher, Jörg
contents We present a variational quantum algorithm that solves the one-dimensional diffusion problem with a space-dependent diffusion constant $D(x)$. This problem is relevant for the exchange of hydroxide ions across a two-layer membrane in an alkaline electrolyzer, where the concentration of OH$^-$ ion determines the chemical stability for longer time periods. We use $16$ to $64$ grid points across the membrane, resulting from $n=4$ to 6 data qubits for the ideal statevector and shot-based quantum simulations implemented using Qiskit. For these qubit numbers, the depth of the parametric quantum circuit has been chosen to ensure sufficient expressibility. The state preparation requires particular attention since the diffusivity $D$ is piecewise constant in the different layers with discontinuities at the interface. Furthermore, we compare different classical optimization schemes with respect to their convergence in the VQA method. We demonstrate the applicability of the quantum algorithm to a problem with non-trivial boundary conditions and jump conditions of the diffusion constant and outline possible extensions of the proof-of-concept application case of quantum computing. Our simulations show that pronounced hydroxide ion concentration gradients, and thus chemical instabilities, can occur only when the ratio of diffusivity in both layers of the membrane exceeds approximately 50.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2512_01120
institution arXiv
publishDate 2025
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Variational quantum algorithm for anion exchange across electrolyzer membrane
Gubaev, Timur
Pfeffer, Philipp
Dreßler, Christian
Schumacher, Jörg
Fluid Dynamics
Quantum Physics
We present a variational quantum algorithm that solves the one-dimensional diffusion problem with a space-dependent diffusion constant $D(x)$. This problem is relevant for the exchange of hydroxide ions across a two-layer membrane in an alkaline electrolyzer, where the concentration of OH$^-$ ion determines the chemical stability for longer time periods. We use $16$ to $64$ grid points across the membrane, resulting from $n=4$ to 6 data qubits for the ideal statevector and shot-based quantum simulations implemented using Qiskit. For these qubit numbers, the depth of the parametric quantum circuit has been chosen to ensure sufficient expressibility. The state preparation requires particular attention since the diffusivity $D$ is piecewise constant in the different layers with discontinuities at the interface. Furthermore, we compare different classical optimization schemes with respect to their convergence in the VQA method. We demonstrate the applicability of the quantum algorithm to a problem with non-trivial boundary conditions and jump conditions of the diffusion constant and outline possible extensions of the proof-of-concept application case of quantum computing. Our simulations show that pronounced hydroxide ion concentration gradients, and thus chemical instabilities, can occur only when the ratio of diffusivity in both layers of the membrane exceeds approximately 50.
title Variational quantum algorithm for anion exchange across electrolyzer membrane
topic Fluid Dynamics
Quantum Physics
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2512.01120