The influence of porous transport layer modifications on the water management in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Alink, Robert; Haußmann, Jan; Markötter, Henning; Schwager, Maximilian; Manke, Ingo; Gerteisen, Dietmar

doi:10.1016/j.jpowsour.2013.01.085

Cited by 90 publications

(70 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Adding artificial water transport channels by laser perforation has been shown to improve the water management, which is most likely due to a drainage effect in the GDL [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network

Alink

Gerteisen

2013

Energies

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In order to model the liquid water transport in the porous materials used in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells, the pore network models are often applied. The presented model is a novel approach to further develop these models towards a percolation model that is based on the fiber structure rather than the pore structure. The developed algorithm determines the stable liquid water paths in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) structure and the transitions from the paths to the subsequent paths. The obtained water path network represents the basis for the calculation of the percolation process with low calculation efforts. A good agreement with experimental capillary pressure-saturation curves and synchrotron liquid water visualization data from other literature sources is found. The oxygen diffusivity for the GDL with liquid water saturation at breakthrough reveals that the porosity is not a crucial factor for the limiting current density. An algorithm for condensation is included into the model, which shows that condensing water is redirecting the water path in the GDL, leading to an improved oxygen diffusion by a decreased breakthrough pressure and changed saturation distribution at breakthrough.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network

Alink

Gerteisen

2013

Energies

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“…1). Synchrotron X-ray radiography was used to test a region centered in the middle height of the cell covering an area of ~10% of the total active area (Alink et al, 2013). The measurements were performed at the imaging beamline "BAMline" at the synchrotron electron storage ring Bessy II in Berlin, Germany (Görner et al, 2001).…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigation of Water Transport in Newly Developed Micro Porous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Alrwashdeh

Markötter

Haubmann

et al. 2017

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“…Research has also been done on the modification of material properties and structure of various PEMFC components. Alink et al [10] investigated the effects on water management from machined and laser modifications to the porous layer and found that selective perforations to the cathode microporous layer (MPL) helped improve performance in both flooding and dry conditions. Chen et al [11] studied the effect of different MPL compositions in relation to different air RH, and found that the MPL composition should be optimized in relation to the operating RH of the cathode in order to maximize performance.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Quantifying Cathode Water Transport via Anode Relative Humidity Measurements in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

et al. 2017

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Abstract:A relative humidity (RH) measurement based on pressure drop analysis is presented as a diagnostic tool to experimentally quantify the amount of excess water on the cathode side of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). Ex-situ pressure drop calibration curves collected at fixed RH values, used with a set of well-defined equations for the anode pressure drop, allows for an estimate of in-situ relative humidity values. During the in-situ test, a dry anode inlet stream at increasing flow rates is used to create an evaporative gradient to drive water from the cathode to the anode. This combination of techniques thus quantitatively determines the changing net cell water flux. Knowing the cathodic water production rate, the net water flux to the anode can explain the influence of liquid and vapor transport as a function of GDL selection. Experimentally obtained quantified values for the water removal rate for a variety of cathode gas diffusion layer (GDL) setups are presented, which were chosen to experimentally vary a range of water management abilities, from high to low performance. The results show that more water is transported to the anode when a GDL with poor water management capabilities is used, due to the higher levels of initial saturation occurring on the cathode. At sufficiently high concentration gradients, the anode removes more water than is produced by the reaction, allowing for the quantification of excess water saturating the cathode. The protocol is broadly accessible and applicable as a quantitative diagnostic tool of water management in PEMFCs.

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The influence of porous transport layer modifications on the water management in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

Cited by 90 publications

References 39 publications

Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network

Modeling the Liquid Water Transport in the Gas Diffusion Layer for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells Using a Water Path Network

Investigation of Water Transport in Newly Developed Micro Porous Layers for Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Quantifying Cathode Water Transport via Anode Relative Humidity Measurements in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell

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