Effects of anode and cathode perforated flow field plates on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance

Abstract

SUMMARY The effects of both anode and cathode perforated flow field configurations on proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance are studied herein through electrochemical polarization techniques, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The results demonstrate that serpentine flow field configuration in both anodes and cathodes is the best arrangement for cell performance (serpentine/serpentine, perforated/perforated, and serpentine/perforated). An electrochemical impedance spectroscopy examination shows that the serpentine/serpentine flow plate configuration results in a significant reduction in charge transfer resistance in a high current density (low voltage) regime. It further indicates that in a serpentine/serpentine flow pattern, a maximum electrochemical area is obtained with a higher Pt utilization of about 70% and is secured with full hydration at a cell temperature of 80°C. Finally, energy and exergy efficiencies analyses were also made. Data have been extracted and presented. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Application of the meta‐heuristics for optimizing exergy of a HT‐PEMFC

“…The exergy analysis in fuel cell shows that the cost of generated power can be achieved by the exergy value, that is, exergy is a suitable economical criterion for analyzing of the system. The exergy is a function related to the work, irreversibility, entropy, and enthalpy of a system . This paper studies the details of the exergy evaluation and minimizing it by three different functions based on some predefined constraints and an improved collective animal behavior (ICAB) algorithm.…”

“…The exergy is a function related to the work, irreversibility, entropy, and enthalpy of a system. [38][39][40] This paper studies the details of the exergy evaluation and minimizing it by three different functions based on some predefined constraints and an improved collective animal behavior (ICAB) algorithm. Figure 1 shows the balancing process of exergy in the considered HT-PEMFC.…”

Analyses of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry in micro-direct methanol fuel cell stacks

“…It is recognized that the long-term stable operation of DMFC stacks is essential for practical application; the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) preparation and operating conditions are two crucial factors that affect the long-term operation reliability and durability of the stack [5,6]. However, a number of inter-related technological and operational issues need to be resolved before DMFC can become realized and commercialized.…”

“…Technical issues include poor operational stability and low performance because of poor kinetics, CO poisoning, and methanol crossover. It is recognized that the long-term stable operation of DMFC stacks is essential for practical application; the membrane electrode assembly (MEA) preparation and operating conditions are two crucial factors that affect the long-term operation reliability and durability of the stack [5,6].…”