Temperature Distributions in Single Cell of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Simulated by an 1D Multi-plate Heat-Transfer Model and a 3D Numerical Simulation Model

Abstract

Abstract:The purpose of this study is to verify an 1D multi-plate heat-transfer model estimating the temperature distribution on the interface between polymer electrolyte membrane and catalyst layer at cathode in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell, which is named as reaction surface in this study, with a 3D numerical simulation model solving many governing equations on the coupling phenomena in the cell. The results from both models/simulations agreed well. The effects of initial operation temperature, flow rate, and relative humidity of supply gas on temperature distribution on the reaction surface were also investigated. It was found in both 1D and 3D simulations that, the temperature rise (i.e., T react -T ini ) of the reaction surface from initial operation temperature at 70 °C was higher than that at 80 °C irrespective of flow rate of supply gas. The effect of relative humidity of supply gas on T react -T ini near the inlet of the cell was small. Compared to the previous studies conducted under the similar operation conditions, the T react -T ini calculated by 1D multi-plate heat-transfer model in this study as well as numerical simulation using 3D model was reasonable.

Design and Investigation of Optimal Cooling System for Operative Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

“…There are many types of fuel cells, but they all consist of an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte that allows charges to move between the two sides of the fuel cell as shown in figure (1).…”

“…PEMFC has different ranges of applications like small electric and electronic devices of low to moderate voltage rat, transportation, battery replacement and electric auxiliary systems of power generation.Currently there are many different fuel cell types with diverse design, structure, power capacity and industrial applications with wide range of operating temperature ranges [1][2][3].…”

Modelagem e simulação em células a combustível de membrana de troca protônica de alta temperatura

“…Como o hidrogênio possui maior valor de condutividade térmica está sujeito a uma maior variação de temperatura quando comparado ao oxigênio que possui menor valor de condutividade térmica. Também de acordo com Akira et al[121] a distribuição desigual de temperatura causa degradação no eletrólito e camadas do catalisador. A distribuição de temperatura influencia na mudança de fase da água.…”