Effect of reactant gas flow orientation on the current and temperature distribution in self-heating polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Rasha, Lara; Cho, J.I.S.; Millichamp, Jason; Neville, Tobias P.; Shearing, Paul R.; Brett, Dan J. L.

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.11.223

Cited by 14 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 75 publications

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“…A high fuel cell performance requires appropriate temperature and humidity [24]. During the operation of fuel cells, the temperature and humidity distribution are non-uniform and changes under different operating conditions [25]. Under the condition of low-current densities, the distribution of temperature and humidity are relatively uniform, while for high-current densities, the non-uniform distribution temperature and humidity will increase [26].…”

Section: The Effect Of Assembly Force Temperature and Humidity On Fue...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Field Coupled PEMFC Model with Force-Temperature-Humidity and Experimental Validation for High Electrochemical Performance Design

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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PEMFCs (Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells) are commonly used in fuel cell vehicles, which facilitates energy conversation and environmental protection. The fuel cell electrochemical performance is significantly affected by the contact resistance and the GDL (Gas Diffusion Layer) porosity due to ohmic and concentration losses. However, it is difficult to obtain the exact performance prediction of the electrochemical reaction for a fuel cell design, resulting from the complex operating conditions of fuel cells coupled with the assembly force, operating temperature, relative humidity, etc. Considering the compression behavior of porosity and the contact pressure in GDLs, a force-temperature-humidity multi-field coupled model is established based on FEA (Finite Element Analysis) and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) for the fuel cell electrochemical performance. Aside from that, the characteristics between the contact resistance and the contact pressure are measured and fitted through the experiments in this study. Finally, the numerical model is validated by the experiment of the fuel cell stack, and the error rate between the presented model and the experimentation of the full-dimensional stack being a maximum of 3.37%. This work provides important insight into the force-temperature-humidity coupled action as less empirical testing is required to identify the high fuel cell performance and optimize the fuel cell parameters in a full-dimensional fuel cell stack.

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Section: The Effect Of Assembly Force Temperature and Humidity On Fue...mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Multi-Field Coupled PEMFC Model with Force-Temperature-Humidity and Experimental Validation for High Electrochemical Performance Design

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2023

Sustainability

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“…Depending on the segmentation of the cell and the number of shunt resistors, the spatial resolution of the distribution can be adjusted. Rasha et al [129] applied an 14 × 14 array of shunt resistors across a 100 cm 2 cell. Furthermore, Peng et al [130] utilised 144 current collecting segments and shunt resistors for a 250 cm 2 and 3 kW level fuel cell stack.…”

Section: Printed Circuit Board (Pcb)mentioning

confidence: 99%

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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“…Overall 50 to 60 % heat is produced due to entropy change or enthalpy change , phase change like condensation and hydration which occurs in membrane [8].This heat energy changes temperature uniformity which leads to significant impact on current density and voltage of the cell [6].Most important aspect of PEM fuel cell is that it performs with best efficiency under appropriate temperature range (60-80°C) [26]. High proton conductivity could be achieved if temperature range bounds to 80°C and if temperature range goes below 60°C this may lead to water condensation and flooding of metal electrodes resulting in voltage drop [22].Moreover,ohmic losses are also a challenge for fuel cell technology. These losses occur due to resistance in the path of proton flow in the electrolytic membrane and also conduction resistance in anode and cathode electrodes which reduces electric power efficiency of PEM fuel cell [24].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermal Modeling and Performance Investigation of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Murad,

Kumar,

Harijan

et al. 2023

VFAST trans. math.

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This research paper presents analysis of heat generation problem in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell using COMSOL Multiphysics software. PEM fuel cells are widely recognized for their high electrical power output and environmental sustainability. However, in a PEM fuel cell around 50 to 60 % of energy generated from chemical reactions is dissipated as heat energy. To address this issue PEM fuel cell stack model is designed and thermal modeling is carried out to evaluate its performance. Based on thermal modeling of surface temperature distribution of cell it is found that the cathode side of PEM fuel cell is warmer and generates more heat as compared to other parts due to the exothermic reactions,slow reaction rate,joule heating effect and material properties.Moreover, it is also found that there is uniform temperature distribution across the cell due to rapid heat conduction from cathode side to the surface of the cell.The results of this study show that due to more heat generation on cathode side temperature will tend to increase.This increasing temperature enhancesthe average cell current density but as the average cell current density increases it reduces the average cell voltage thus declining the eﬃciency of PEM fuel cell. Hence ,there should be an optimal temperature range between 60 to 80°C for the better performance of a PEM fuel cell. Findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for understanding heat generation process in PEM fuel cell for the development of eﬃcient and reliable fuel cell technology in future.

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Effect of reactant gas flow orientation on the current and temperature distribution in self-heating polymer electrolyte fuel cells

Cited by 14 publications

References 75 publications

A Multi-Field Coupled PEMFC Model with Force-Temperature-Humidity and Experimental Validation for High Electrochemical Performance Design

A Multi-Field Coupled PEMFC Model with Force-Temperature-Humidity and Experimental Validation for High Electrochemical Performance Design

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

Thermal Modeling and Performance Investigation of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

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