Thermal analysis of air-cooled PEM fuel cells

This paper reports on the modelling of a commercial 1.2 kW proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), based on interrelated electrical and thermal models. The electrical model proposed is based on the integration of the thermodynamic and electrochemical phenomena taking place in the FC whilst the thermal model is established from the FC thermal energy balance. The combination of both models makes it possible to predict the FC voltage, based on the current demanded and the ambient temperature. Furthermore, an experimental characterization is conducted and the parameters for the models associated with the FC electrical and thermal performance are obtained. The models are implemented in Matlab Simulink and validated in a number of operating environments, for steady-state and dynamic modes alike. In turn, the FC models are validated in an actual microgrid operating environment, through the series connection of 4 PEMFC. The simulations of the models precisely and accurately reproduce the FC electrical and thermal performance.

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“…However, the influence of the heat transfer by convection is significantly higher than the transfer by conduction and radiation [62].…”

Section: Heating Power Dissipatedmentioning

confidence: 95%

Modelling of PEM Fuel Cell Performance: Steady-State and Dynamic Experimental Validation

2014

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“…The ohmic heating is caused by the finite resistances of various components used in PEMFC. This heat is generated by the electrolyte, the electrodes and the BPPs as well as the current collectors [9,41,44]. An additional heat source associated with water condensation/evaporation in the GDLs has to be taken into consideration.…”

Section: Heat Generationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If too much heat is removed, the reaction kinetics are adversely affected and if water vapour partial pressure exceeds the saturation pressure, water vapour condenses and in turn lowers stack performance. Conversely, if cooling is not adequate, the stack temperature rises beyond its allowable operating temperature causing the dehydration and drop in protonic conductivity causing fuel cell stack performance deterioration [39][40][41]. Local hot spots due to an improperly designed cooling system can accelerate the mechanical degradation of PEMs, and in turns impairing the reliability of PEMFCs.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review on management, mechanisms and modelling of thermal processes in PEMFC

Bvumbe¹,

Bujło²,

Tolj³

et al. 2016

Hydrogen and Fuel Cells

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Abstract:In an effort to reduce the environmental impact of the energy sector that is mostly based on fossil fuels, researchers are looking for a clean alternative of our existing energy sources. Hydrogen Energy and Fuel Cells, and in particular Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFCs) have emerged as a leading candidate for transportation as well as stationary and portable applications. Due to the irreversibility of the electrochemical reactions and ohmic heating in the fuel cell components, the PEMFC produces a significant amount of heat and this heat has to be removed in order to avoid cell or stack overheating. In this paper, a review of the key heat transfer mechanisms and the various cooling strategies that are available for heat removal from PEMFCs are presented. Due to the interrelated nature and difficulty of conducting in-situ thermal measurements on the operating PEMFCs, computational modelling provides a fast and efficient way of designing PEMFC cooling systems and understanding the heat transfer mechanisms. Therefore PEMFC thermal modelling is also highlighted together with present challenges and potential areas for further research and development works.

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“…Hence most of real world PEMFC systems will have temperature monitoring components and the collected data will be used to control the fuel cell operation for optimum power 460 generation. Generally, temperature measurements are taken at multiple places which could be identified through numerical heat transfer simulations [135]. Location of these temperature measurements may vary with the structure of the stack, type of cooling i.e.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A review on prognostics and health monitoring of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Sutharssan

Montalvão

Chen

et al. 2017

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

203

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Fuel cell technology can be traced back to 1839 when British scientist Sir William Grove discovered that it was possible to generate electricity by the reaction between hydrogen and oxygen gases. However, fuel cell still cannot compete with internal combustion engines although they have many advantages including zero carbon emissions. Fossil fuels are cheaper and present very high volumetric energy densities compared with the hydrogen gas. Furthermore, hydrogen storage as a liquid is still a huge challenge. Another important disadvantage is the lifespan of the fuel cell because of their durability, reliability and maintainability.Prognostics is an emerging technology in sustainability of engineering systems through failure prevention, reliability assessment and remaining useful lifetime estimation. Prognostics and health monitoring can play a critical role in enhancing the durability, reliability and maintainability of the fuel cell system. This paper presents a review on the current state-of-the-art in prognostics and health monitoring of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC), aiming at identifying research and development opportunities in these fields. This paper also highlights the importance of incorporating prognostics and failure modes, mechanisms and effects analysis (FMMEA) in PEMFC to give them sustainable * Corresponding author Email address: (tsutharssan@iee.org) (Thamo Sutharssan)Preprint submitted to Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews November 14, 2016 competitive advantage when compared with other non-clean energy solutions.

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Thermal analysis of air-cooled PEM fuel cells

Cited by 119 publications

References 33 publications

Modelling of PEM Fuel Cell Performance: Steady-State and Dynamic Experimental Validation

Modelling of PEM Fuel Cell Performance: Steady-State and Dynamic Experimental Validation

Review on management, mechanisms and modelling of thermal processes in PEMFC

A review on prognostics and health monitoring of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

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