In-Plane Effects in Large-Scale PEMFCs

Abstract

A quasi-two-dimensional, along-the-channel mass and heat-transfer model for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEFC) is described and validated against experimental current distribution data. The model is formulated in a 1+1 dimensional manner, i.e., local transport phenomena are treated one-dimensional in through-plane direction and coupled in-plane by convective transport in the gas and coolant channels. Thus, a two-dimensional slice running through the repetitive unit of a cell from the anode channel via membrane-electrode assembly (MEA) and cathode channel to the coolant channel and from inlet to outlet is modeled. The aim of the work is to elucidate the influence of operating conditions such as feed gas humidities and stoichiometric ratios on the along-the-channel current density distribution and to identify the distinct underlying voltage loss mechanisms. Furthermore, a complicated technical flow field is modeled by a combination of co- and counterflow subdomains and compared with experimental current densities.

Quasi-three dimensional dynamic model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell for system and controls development

“…Parallel diffusive fluxes in the gas diffusion layer and membrane are ignored. Convective transport inside the flow channel by far dominates parallel diffusive fluxes (Pe = 10 10 ) [11]. 6.…”

“…A uniform gas pressure is assumed. The pressure drop along the gas flow channels and GDL are neglected [11]. 4.…”

“…7. Each cell in the stack is assumed to operate identically, so that a single cell simulation is taken as representative and used to calculate full stack performance [11,12]. 8.…”

“…Weber and Newman characterize these models by affiliation as being derived from the significant early contributions of Springer et al [2], Bernardi and Verbrugge [3,4], and those using computational fluid dynamics or other approaches. Since publication of the Weber and Newman paper, steady state PEMFC modeling has continued to be an active area of research as characterized by recent contributions from many groups including Lum and McGuirk [5], and Shimpalee et al [6], Pasaogullari and Wang [7], Guvelioglu and Stenger [8], Gorgun et al [9], Nguyen et al [10], and Freunberger et al [11], among others. In addition, Burt et al [12] and Campanari and Iora [13] have developed similar multi-dimensional models for solid oxide fuel cells.…”

Configuration effects of air, fuel, and coolant inlets on the performance of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell for automotive applications

“…The local resolution not only provides insight into the local performance of the fuel cell, local thermal stresses, local hydrogen and oxygen starvation during transient operation, but can also predict fuel cell dynamic performance more accurately than bulk dynamic models. The unit cell is also discretized in the cross-sectional direction through a unit cell of the fuel cell stack, which is an approach similar to that used by Yuyao and Choe [28] and Freunberger et al [26]. The primary components of the fuel cell are discretized into seven control volumes, using five types of control volume: (1) solid plate, (2) bulk gas, (3) GDL, (4) membrane electrode assembly (MEA), and (5) coolant, which are shown in Figs.…”