Optimization of Mass Transfer Processes in the Zone of the Air Electrode of a Fuel Cell with a Solid Polymer Electrolyte

Grigor’ev, S. A.; Kalinnikov, A. A.; Porembskii, V. I.; Baranov, I.A.; Borisova, Ekaterina V.; Фатеев, В. Н.

doi:10.1023/b:ruel.0000048652.16015.12

Cited by 6 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…1). The mass transfer in the porous system of the gas-diffusion layer was calculated using the secondorder diffusion equation where α is a parameter that models the electrocatalytic layer activity (a detailed description was given previously [2]) and n 0 is the initial reactant concentration (0.21 for atmospheric oxygen). The potential distribution in the gas-diffusion layer and the contacting projecting current-carrying elements of the bipolar plate was described by a similar equation, where ϕ is the potential and ρ x and ρ y are the electrical conductivities of the gas-diffusion layer in the directions x and y , respectively.…”

Section: Mathematical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For example, a significant problem is to optimize the sizes of channels and projecting current-carrying elements of the bipolar plate, as well as the thickness and porosity of the gasdiffusion layer. Previously [1,2], we developed a twodimensional diffusion model of mass transfer in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Within this model, it was shown that, at operating current densities, diffusion limitations may arise in the gas-diffusion layer.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Optimization of Transfer Processes in a Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

et al. 2005

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

ev, Kalinnikov, Porembskii, Sister, Fateev, Rusanov. Recently, in the context of solving environmental and energy problems, interest in widely using solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells for both transportation and stationary applications has significantly increased. Although there are a lot of developments in fuel cells of this type, it is necessary to perform integrated optimization of the bipolar plate-gas-diffusion layer-electrocatalytic layer-membrane system taking into account the parameters of each of the components. For example, a significant problem is to optimize the sizes of channels and projecting current-carrying elements of the bipolar plate, as well as the thickness and porosity of the gasdiffusion layer. Previously [1, 2], we developed a twodimensional diffusion model of mass transfer in a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Within this model, it was shown that, at operating current densities, diffusion limitations may arise in the gas-diffusion layer. In this work, we continue to study this problem for gas-diffusion layers of different composition and structure with allowance for the ohmic loss and the sizes of the channels and projecting current-carrying elements of the bipolar plate. Figure 1 presents all characteristic regions of a solid polymer electrolyte fuel cell. These regions, numbered 1 -8 , are considered in the model separately and are coupled to each other by boundary conditions. The model comprises the following processes: the transport of the reactant and water in the channels of the bipolar plate, the gas-diffusion layer, the electrocatalytic layer, and the membrane; the proton current in the membrane and the electrocatalytic layer; the electron current in the electrocatalytic layer, the gas-diffusion layer, and the projecting current-carrying elements of the bipolar plate; and the heat transfer in all the components indicated. MATHEMATICAL MODELThe model is formulated under the following basic assumptions: the gas in the channels of the bipolar plate is ideal and flows at a constant pressure; the longitudinal component (along the z axis) of the gas velocity in the gas-diffusion layer is zero; the total pressure in the cathodic and anodic zones is the same; all the mass transfer processes occur at constant pressure; the catalytic layer thickness is negligible; and the contacting surfaces of the bipolar plate and the gas-diffusion layer have equal temperatures and are equipotential.The mass transfer in the channels of the bipolar plate and the gas-diffusion layer was described by the Stefan-Maxwell equation. The gas flow distribution in the channels was characterized by the Navier-Stokes equation for a quasi-stationary flow. The proton current in the membrane and the electrocatalytic layer was calculated by the Nernst-Planck equation. The thermal processes were described by the corresponding heat transfer equations.According to the problem under consideration in this work, let us dwell in greater detail on the transport of the reactant and electrons in the gas-diffusion layer. ...

show abstract

Section: Mathematical Modelmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Optimization of Transfer Processes in a Solid Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

et al. 2005

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…For example, optimization of the dimensions of channels and current transfer ribs (the so-called flow-field) of bipolar plates, and also the thickness and porosity of gas diffusion layers, pose a significant problem [1][2][3][4][5]. Earlier, the authors developed a twodimensional diffusion model of mass transfer processes in PEM fuel cells [6,7]. This model showed that at specific operating current densities, diffusion limitations may occur in the gas diffusion layers.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Numerical optimization of bipolar plates and gas diffusion layers for PEM fuel cells

et al. 2006

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This paper is devoted to the numerical optimization of the dimensions of channels and current transfer ribs of bipolar plates as well as the thickness and porosity of gas diffusion layers. A mathematical model of the transfer processes in a PEM fuel cell has been developed for this purpose. The results are compared with experimental data. Recommendations of the values of operating parameters and some design requirements to increase PEM fuel cell efficiency are suggested.

show abstract