Innovative cathode flow-field design for passive air-cooled polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks

Lee, Jaeseung; Gundu, Mohamed Hassan; Lee, Nammin; Lim, Kisung; Lee, Seung Woo; Jang, Seung Soon; Kim, Jin Young; Ju, Hyunchul

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.07.128

Cited by 93 publications

(24 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…[159,160] Smart design of the air flow channels leading to the cathode and channels passing through the cell for cooling can help to achieve a uniform temperature distribution. [161,162] An example of the temperature distribution in such an open-cathode cell is given in Figure 16c. The authors applied 3D computational fluid dynamics modeling to predict the temperature distribution, as well as the influence on reactant mass fraction.…”

Section: Thermal Management Of Pemfcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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The behavior of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) strongly depends on the operational temperatures. In mobile applications, for instance in fuel cell electric vehicles, PEMFC stacks are often subjected to temperatures as low as −20 °C, especially during cold start periods, and to temperatures up to 120 °C during regular operation. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of temperature on the performance and degradation of hydrogen fuel cells to ensure a stable system operation. To get a comprehensive understanding of the temperature effects in PEMFCs, this manuscript addresses and summarizes in‐ situ and ex‐ situ investigations of fuel cells operated at different temperatures. Initially, different measurement techniques for thermal monitoring are presented. Afterwards, the temperature effects related to the degradation and performance of main membrane electrode assembly components, namely gas diffusion layers, proton exchange membranes and catalyst layers, are analyzed.

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Section: Thermal Management Of Pemfcsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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“…53 The coolant heat removal rate (Q removed ) represents the total heat generation within the stack, which is given by Q cell × n cell . Lastly, the required air velocity was calculated using Equation (15). Assuming the air density (ρ air ) to be 1.02 kg/m 3,63 the outlet air velocity (v fan ) was determined to be 1.234 m/s.…”

Section: Boundary Conditionsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…14 The air-cooled PEM systems are classified into two main categories: the active and the passive types. 15,16 The main difference between these two approaches is the way that the air is introduced in the system. In the case where the reactant air (oxygen reduction reaction) and the air for cooling are supplied to the system separately via two different pathways, then the cooling is considered as active.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Thermal characteristics of an air‐cooled open‐cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack via numerical investigation

et al. 2020

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In light of stricter emissions regulations and depleting fossil fuel reserves, fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) are one of the leading alternatives for powering future vehicles. An open-cathode, air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack provides a relatively simple electric generation system for a vehicle in terms of system complexity and number of components. The temperature within a PEMFC stack is critical to its level of performance and the electrochemical efficiency. Previously created computational models to study and predict the stack temperature have been limited in their scale and the inaccurate assumption that temperature is uniform throughout. The present work details the creation of a numerical model to study the temperature distribution of an 80-cell Ballard 1020ACS stack by simulating the cooling airflow across the stack. Using computational fluid dynamics, a steady-state airflow simulation was performed using experimental data to form boundary conditions where possible. Additionally, a parametric study was performed to investigate the effect of the distance between the stack and cooling fan on stack performance. Model validation was performed against published results. The temperature distribution across the stack was identical for the central 70% of the cells, with eccentric temperatures observed at the stack extremities, while the difference between coolant and bipolar plate temperatures was approximately 10 C at the cooling channel outlets. The results of the parametric study showed that the fan-stack distance has a negligible effect on stack performance. The assumptions regarding stack temperature uniformity and measurement were challenged. Lastly, the hypothesis regarding the negligible effect of fan-stack distance on stack performance was confirmed.

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“…proposed a parallel alike flow field with the aim of preventing membrane dehydrated and enhancing cell cooling performance for open cathode passive air-cooled PEMFC stacks. 32 The functioning algorithm of the new design depends on the deceleration of reactant air to increase water retention via diverging reactant air channels; on the other hand, acceleration of cooling air flow with converging channel width, thus increasing cooling air convection capability. In the new design, the focus of the architecture is increasing water retention in contrast to design strategies developed for parallel flow fields, which aims to maintain water discharge from the cell.…”

Section: Local Improvements On Fundamental Flow Fieldsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow field designs and approaches for performance enhancement

Celik

Karagöz

2019

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part A:

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Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are carbon-free electrochemical energy conversion devices that are appropriate for use as a power source on vehicles and mobile devices emerging with their high energy density, lightweight structure, quick startup and lower operating temperature capabilities. However, they need more developments in the aspects of reactant distribution, less pressure drops, precisely balanced water content and heat management to achieve more reliable and higher overall cell performance. Flow field development is one of the most important fields of study to increase cell performance since it has decisive effects on performance parameters, including bipolar plate, and thus fuel cell weight. In this study, recent developments on conventional flow field designs to eliminate their weaknesses and innovative design approaches and flow field architectures are obtained from patent databases, and both numerical and experimental scientific studies. Fundamental designs that create differences are introduced, and their effects on the performance are discussed with regard to origin, objective, innovation strategy of design besides their strength and probable open development ways. As a result, significant enhancements and design strategies on flow field designs in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells are summarized systematically to guide prospective flow field development studies.

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Innovative cathode flow-field design for passive air-cooled polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell stacks

Cited by 93 publications

References 19 publications

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Thermal characteristics of an air‐cooled open‐cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack via numerical investigation

Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow field designs and approaches for performance enhancement

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