Thermal Modeling and Performance Investigation of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell

Abstract

This research paper presents analysis of heat generation problem in Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell using COMSOL Multiphysics software. PEM fuel cells are widely recognized for their high electrical power output and environmental sustainability. However, in a PEM fuel cell around 50 to 60 % of energy generated from chemical reactions is dissipated as heat energy. To address this issue PEM fuel cell stack model is designed and thermal modeling is carried out to evaluate its performance. Based on thermal modeling of surface temperature distribution of cell it is found that the cathode side of PEM fuel cell is warmer and generates more heat as compared to other parts due to the exothermic reactions,slow reaction rate,joule heating effect and material properties.Moreover, it is also found that there is uniform temperature distribution across the cell due to rapid heat conduction from cathode side to the surface of the cell.The results of this study show that due to more heat generation on cathode side temperature will tend to increase.This increasing temperature enhancesthe average cell current density but as the average cell current density increases it reduces the average cell voltage thus declining the efficiency of PEM fuel cell. Hence ,there should be an optimal temperature range between 60 to 80°C for the better performance of a PEM fuel cell. Findings of this study can serve as a valuable resource for understanding heat generation process in PEM fuel cell for the development of efficient and reliable fuel cell technology in future.