Experimental diagnostics of PEM fuel cells

This paper presents an optimisation model for a general polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell system suitable for efficiency and size trade-offs investigation. Simulation of the model for a base case shows that for a given output power, a more efficient system is bigger and vice versa. Using the weighting method to perform a multi-objective optimisation, the Pareto sets were generated for different stack output powers. A Pareto set, presented as a plot of the optimal efficiency and area of the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), gives a quantitative description of the compromise between efficiency and size. Overall, our results indicate that, to make the most of the size-efficiency trade-off behaviour, the system must be operated at an efficiency of at least 40% but not more than 47%. Furthermore, the MEA area should be at least 3 cm 2 per Watt for the efficiency to be practically useful. Subject to the constraints imposed on the model, which are based on technical practicalities, a PEM fuel cell system such as the one presented in this work cannot operate at an efficiency above 54%. The results of this work, specifically the multi-objective model, will form a useful and practical basis for subsequent techno-economic studies for specific applications.

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“…These results are in agreement with the conclusions drawn by a large section of the literature [35,36,37,38,39,40,41].…”

Section: Model Validationsupporting

confidence: 93%

A multi-objective optimisation model for a general polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system

Ang

Brett

Fraga

2010

Journal of Power Sources

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“…Using the design parameters listed in Table 5, it was found that the model over-predicted the experimental cell voltage data of Mughal and Li [66]. The reason for the over-prediction was likely due to an over-prediction of the reactive surface area by Eq.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…The design parameters for the anode and cathode sides of the PEM fuel cell were assumed to be the same and they were chosen in order to match a PEM fuel cell that had been used in a previous, experimental investigation [66]. Most of the design parameters were from Mughal and Li [66], except for the length of the gas flow channel and the reactive surface area of the catalyst layers. In order to reduce computational time, the channel length for the simulations was 0.1-10 cm.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comprehensive, consistent and systematic mathematical model of PEM fuel cells

Baschuk

2009

Applied Energy

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“…In this way an increase in the ability of the stream to carry water vapor is achieved and thus a substantial portion of water could be removed at the cathode [33,34]. Other strategies to mitigate flooding known as the manipulation of the operating conditions of the FC, such as increasing the cathode gas flow-rate [33,35,36], flushing the cathode periodically with a high air flow-rate for a short time [36,37], and shaking or orienting the FC during its operation [38], can produce significant parasitic losses or increase the FC system's complexity [20]. A simpler approach for mitigating water flooding is through designing the membrane electrode assembly's components to function in the presence of liquid water [20,39].…”

Section: Membranementioning

confidence: 99%

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

et al. 2012

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Original scientific paperThis article focuses on the main issues that affect the lifetime and performance of proton-exchange membrane fuel cells. The short lifespans of these fuel cells represent a barrier to their massive commercialization and usage in mobile and stationary applications. As fuel cell is a very complex system, a lot of knowledge of different areas is required, such as chemistry, electricity and mechanics, in order to completely understand its operation and all the problems that can occur during it. It is for this reason that an interdisciplinary approach needs to be taken when designing fuel-cell energy systems. This paper focuses on identifying and solving those issues that negatively affect the lifetime and performance of fuel cells. It is hoped that this article would be a valuable aid for power electronics' researchers and engineers for better understanding the presented issues and a useful guide for solving them with the use of proper power electronic-devices. Initially, the basic operation and structure of a proton-exchange membrane fuel cell is explained. Three main issues that can occur during operation of a mobile or stationary fuel cell energy system are pointed out and discussed in details, on the basis of the state-of-the-art on fuel cell technology. These issues are poor water management, reactant gas starvation and fuel cell current ripple. This article provides answers as to why they occur, how they affect the fuel cell, how they can be mitigated, and what are the future trends within this research field.Key words: PEMFC, Water management, Reactant gas starvation, Current ripple, Power electronics.Pregled znanstvenih napredaka u učinskoj elektronici usmjerenih ka osiguravanju efikasnog rada i dužeg životnog vijeka PEM gorivihćelija.Članak se osvrće na ključna pitanja koja utječu na vrijeme rada i performanse gorivihćelija s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Kratak životni vijek gorivihćelija takve vrste prepreka je njihovoj komercijalizaciji i masovnoj upotrebi u mobilnim i stacionarnim stanicama. Budući da su gorivećelije komplicirani sustavi potrebno je znanje iz raznih područja kemije, elektrotehnike i mehanike da bi se u potpunosti mogao razumjeti njihov način rada i problemi koji se dogadaju. Upravo je zbog toga multidisciplinarni pristup nužnost pri razvoju sustava koji koriste gorivećelije. Ovaj ječlanak usmjeren prema identifikaciji i rješavanju onih problema koji negativno utječu na životni vijek i performanse gorivihćelija. Autori se nadaju daće sečlanak pokazati kao korisna pomoć i vodič istraživačima i inženjerima u domeni učinske elektronike pri susretu s navedenim problemima. Objašnjen je način rada i struktura gorivećelije s polimernom membranom kao elektrolitom. Izložena su, i diskutirana do u detalje, tri glavna problema sa stajališta trenutačnih spoznaja u području učinske elektronike. Ti problemi su: loše upravljanje vodom, nestanak reaktantnog plina i strujni trzaji u gorivimćelijama. Objašnjeno je zašto se ovi problemi dogadaju, kako utječu na gorivućelij...

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Experimental diagnostics of PEM fuel cells

Cited by 32 publications

References 11 publications

A multi-objective optimisation model for a general polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system

A multi-objective optimisation model for a general polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell system

A comprehensive, consistent and systematic mathematical model of PEM fuel cells

A Review of the Main Power Electronics' Advances in Order to Ensure Efficient Operation and Durability of PEMFCs

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