Effects of an MPL on water and thermal management in a PEMFC

Nanadegani, Fereshteh Salimi; Lay, Ebrahim Nemati; Sundén, Bengt

doi:10.1002/er.4262

Cited by 92 publications

(42 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…On the con- trary, the MPL-G has a lower water permeability that could be responsible for a ''sealing'' effect: the GDMs promote water retention close to the MEA that leads to back diffusion, thus limiting the dehydration of the electrolyte [44]. In this case, an excessive humidity leads to a fast accumulation of water in the GDM, which is confirmed by the quick increase of the mass transfer losses at relatively low current densities at 60°C and flows relative humidity of 100% [30,45,46].…”

Section: Electrical Performances Analysesmentioning

confidence: 93%

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

et al. 2019

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In this paper, the effect of different carbonaceous phases in microporous layers (MPLs) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is reported. A conventional ink with carbon black (CB) powder and an innovative one featuring graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) have been produced and used to coat carbon cloth gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Morphological and electrical properties of these samples have been assessed and then compared to determine which characteristics contribute to a possible enhancement of the fuel cell performance. Static contact angle measurements have revealed a similar hydrophobic character for both samples. Through-plane water permeability and porosity of the samples have been correlated to the optimal working tempera-ture: GNPs-based MPLs provide the best performance in dry condition (T = 80°C, RH = 60%), while CB-based samples work better in more humid conditions. Instead, the electrical conductivity of the samples have not displayed a strong influence on the polarization curve of the cell. In addition, an ex situ mechanical accelerated stress test (AST) has been performed on both samples to assess their durability and understand which factors could lengthen their lifetime. GNPsbased samples resisted better under the harsh conditions imposed during the AST and a possible optimization of this ink composition is proposed for future development.

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Section: Electrical Performances Analysesmentioning

confidence: 93%

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

et al. 2019

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“…While considering appropriate GDL for PEMFC, the thickness of the MPL considerably affects the overall electrode resistance, because of its different impacts on electric, thermal, and flow resistances. MPL thickness is a parameter critical for overall fuel cell performance 27,28 . Moreover, each single carbon molecule present in the MPL adds to electric and thermal conduction.…”

Section: Basic Pemfc Operationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…MPL thickness is a parameter critical for overall fuel cell performance. 27,28 Moreover, each single carbon molecule present in the MPL adds to electric and thermal conduction. A few types of powders are possible candidates to be utilized in MPLs, and each powder has intrinsic particle attributes comprehensive of structure, size, and bulk density that may influence the morphological and microstructural qualities upon MPL deposition.…”

Section: Gas Diffusion Layermentioning

confidence: 99%

A review of gas diffusion layer properties and water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cell system

2020

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Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) can intensely lessen the emissions from the energy sector through environmentally friendly attributes. This evaluation paper summarizes the key additives of the PEMFC which are associated with water formation and delivery inside the cell. The gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays a key role in reactant gas diffusion and water control in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. This paper also reviews updated literature regarding various hydrophobic and hydrophilic materials used for the improvement of the GDL and overall PEMFC performance. A style of carbon and steel-based microporous substrates (MPS) and microporous layer (MPL) and their impact in GDL overall performance are provided. Materials' properties that affect the performance of the MPL consisting of pore sizes, porosity, and permeability are additionally reviewed. Visualization of water in the flow channel and techniques to understand the mechanism of flow is reported. The failure modes related to the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and typical PEMFC degradation are discussed. Prospects for development and addressing the water management and degradation of PEMFC through the exploration of further experimental and numerical studies are presented. Highlights • Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) can be a good candidate for several applications • The material property of the GDL influences the overall fuel performance • Water transport if not properly managed can cause poor performance and failure of the fuel cell • There is need to understand how the fuel cell failure is related to the

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“…[45][46][47][48] Water transport in PEMFC depends strongly on the operating temperature [33][34][35][36][37] and temperature profile inside the PEMFC. [38][39][40]49 Higher temperature means more water evaporation and hence more water removal from the cell in vapour form. 50 At lower operating temperatures, more liquid water is formed in the cell that increases the chance of flooding, making the role of water management to remove the excess water from the cell more significant.…”

Section: Research Gap To Be Addressed By This Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Water transport in PEMFC depends strongly on the operating temperature and temperature profile inside the PEMFC . Higher temperature means more water evaporation and hence more water removal from the cell in vapour form .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

PEMFC purging at low operating temperatures: An experimental approach

et al. 2019

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SUMMARY In this paper, the effect of operating temperature on optimal purge interval for maximum energy efficiency in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) with dead‐ended anode (DEA) was experimentally investigated. The study was conducted with a focus on challenges associated with operation at temperatures lower than the recommended designed temperature. With DEA, gradual voltage drop happens due to the accumulation of water and impurities such as nitrogen. Hence, periodic purging of the anode side is required to remove excess water and impurities that are accumulated at the anode side over time. Short purge intervals increase hydrogen loss that translates into low fuel utilisation, whereas long purge intervals result in voltage drop due to high water and impurity accumulations. Therefore, an optimal purge strategy should be implemented to maximise the stack energy efficiency. Depending on the operating conditions and loads, there are instances that a fuel cell stack operates at temperatures lower than its recommended designed temperature. Considering the temperature effect on the cell water management, operating temperature is an important factor to consider for optimising the purge strategy in PEMFCs. At lower operating temperatures (ie, below 50°C), more water is formed in liquid form, which makes the optimisation of purge strategy more challenging. For a stack temperature of 40°C, it was observed that with an increase in stack current from 0.25 to 0.45 A cm−2, the optimal purge interval decreases from 90 seconds to around 45 seconds, respectively. Increasing the stack temperature from 40°C to 50°C resulted in an increase in the optimal purge interval to 120 seconds and 90 seconds for stack currents of 0.25 (ie, low current density) and 0.45 A cm−2, respectively. At lower operating temperatures, more frequent purging schedules are needed accordingly to remove the liquid water from the cell. These results indicated that at lower operating temperatures, water accumulation at the anode side becomes more dominant compared with higher operating temperatures.

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Effects of an MPL on water and thermal management in a PEMFC

Cited by 92 publications

References 51 publications

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

Evaluation of Graphene Nanoplatelets as a Microporous Layer Material for PEMFC: Performance and Durability Analysis

A review of gas diffusion layer properties and water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cell system

PEMFC purging at low operating temperatures: An experimental approach

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