Combined effects of flow channel configuration and operating conditions on PEM fuel cell performance

Pan, Weitong; Wang, Peng-Hui; Chen, Xueli; Wang, Fuchen; Dai, Guohao

doi:10.1016/j.enconman.2020.113046

Cited by 55 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 40 publications

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“…The membrane water content at equilibrium is usually related to the local water activity via algebraic expression, for which examples are reported in Table 9 and illustrated in Figure 4, showing that a good agreement is found for undersaturated states (a < 1), whereas different values are reported for over-saturated conditions (a > 1). The membrane water content is experimentally determined as a function of the local relative humidity and of water activity a as in Equation (18), where p H 2 O represents the partial pressure of the water vapour. The relationship between the water concentration and water content λ is given by Equation ( 17), with ρ m,dry the dry membrane density and EW m the membrane equivalent weight (represented by the dry mass of the membrane (ionomer) over the number of moles of SO 3 -) which takes a value of 1100 kg/kmol (for Nafion 112, 115 and 117) or 2100 kg/kmol (for Nafion 211 and 212) [5].…”

Section: Diffusive Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Another example is the choice between straightparallel and serpentine gas distributors [16], with the former excelling in reduced pressure losses for reactants delivery while the latter optimising water removal. Such designs are motivated by water handling issues; therefore, they testify the relevance of an accurate modelling of water management if 3D-CFD simulations are to be used alongside testing for design guidance of future PEMFC power systems [17][18][19].…”

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confidence: 99%

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Modelling Methods and Validation Techniques for CFD Simulations of PEM Fuel Cells

et al. 2021

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The large-scale adoption of fuel cells system for sustainable power generation will require the combined use of both multidimensional models and of dedicated testing techniques, in order to evolve the current technology beyond its present status. This requires an unprecedented understanding of concurrent and interacting fluid dynamics, material and electrochemical processes. In this review article, Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC) are analysed. In the first part, the most common approaches for multi-phase/multi-physics modelling are presented in their governing equations, inherent limitations and accurate materials characterisation for diffusion layers, membrane and catalyst layers. This provides a thorough overview of key aspects to be included in multidimensional CFD models. In the second part, advanced diagnostic techniques are surveyed, indicating testing practices to accurately characterise the cell operation. These can be used to validate models, complementing the conventional observation of the current–voltage curve with key operating parameters, thus defining a joint modelling/testing environment. The two sections complement each other in portraying a unified framework of interrelated physical/chemical processes, laying the foundation of a robust and complete understanding of PEMFC. This is needed to advance the current technology and to consciously use the ever-growing availability of computational resources in the next future.

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Section: Diffusive Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

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confidence: 99%

Modelling Methods and Validation Techniques for CFD Simulations of PEM Fuel Cells

et al. 2021

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“…To avoid local reactants’ starvation and improve the reactants’ utilization, the transverse mass transfer should be enhanced. [ 20 ] Several studies reported that the secondary flow and convection in through‐plane direction can improve the mass transfer of reactants between the channel and the diffusion layer. Min et al [ 21 ] performed a numerical analysis of the secondary flow of modified serpentine channels, and the results indicate that increasing segment number or the channel path number in a segment can strengthen the secondary flow and improve the cell performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Performance Investigation of Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with Dean Flow Channels

et al. 2022

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Herein, a novel fuel cell flow field with 3π/2 radian Dean flow channels and its impact on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are presented. With a multidisciplinary numerical model, flow characteristics, concentration distribution, and current density contour in the fuel cell are compared between straight and Dean flow channel cases. The unstable vortices formed in the Dean flow channels are shown to enhance mass transfer of both reactants and water. As a result, although the voltage under low current density is slightly lower than that of fuel cells with straight channels, the output performance under high current density is observably improved. It is also found that the enhancement of oxygen transport with the Dean channel is more significant at relatively small cathode stoichiometry. In addition, by reducing the gas diffusion layer porosity, the membrane is kept at high humidity, yielding an improvement in power output and stability of the fuel cell at low cathode inlet pressure operation.

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“…Second, for narrowing the straight channel in flow fields, two methods can be used [12][13][14][15][16]. One is to increase the baffles in the flow channel as Figure 2b,c.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical study on dual‐region mass transport at wave flow field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

et al. 2022

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The performance and stability of proton exchange membrane fuel cells are mainly dependent on mass transports in the gas diffusion layer (GDL). The mass transports in dual-region including the regions of under-channel and under-rib are one of the factors that cause mass uneven distribution. Therefore, the wave structure and the auxiliary flow channel are introduced to enhance these mass transports. Auxiliary conventional parallel flow field (ACPFF), wave flow field (WFF), and auxiliary WFF (AWFF) are transferred into ANSYS MESHING for meshing, then imported into Fuel Cell and Electrolysis module on FLUENT for the solution. This comprehensive AWFF has important influences on mass even distribution and performance. The results reveal that dual-region forced convections can be made by the periodic waved structure and the auxiliary flow channel. More reactants are forced to appear in GDL of under-channel and under-rib.Based on the simulation results, the distributions of oxygen, water, temperature are more even in AWFF. Specifically, the cell performance at high current density is improved obviously. Compared to CPFF, the max power density is increased by more than 4% in this novel flow field (AWFF), which will provide a new trial for the design of a comprehensive flow field.

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Combined effects of flow channel configuration and operating conditions on PEM fuel cell performance

Cited by 55 publications

References 40 publications

Modelling Methods and Validation Techniques for CFD Simulations of PEM Fuel Cells

Modelling Methods and Validation Techniques for CFD Simulations of PEM Fuel Cells

Performance Investigation of Proton‐Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell with Dean Flow Channels

Numerical study on dual‐region mass transport at wave flow field of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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