Simulation Methodology on Analyzing Clamping Mode for Single Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2011 ◽  
Vol 27 (4) ◽  
pp. 545-558 ◽  
Author(s):  
C.-Y. Wen ◽  
H.-T. Chang ◽  
T.-W. Luo
Keyword(s):  
Contact Resistance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Point Load ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Interfacial Pressure ◽  
Exchange Membrane

ABSTRACTIn proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), a low interfacial pressure between the bipolar plates and the membrane exchange assembly (MEA) results in a high contact resistance. Conversely, an excessive interfacial pressure reduces the porosity of the gas diffusion layer (GDLs) and may damage the proton exchange membrane (PEM). Consequently, the performance of a PEMFC is critically dependent upon the clamping method. Accordingly, this study emphasizes the development of a numerical methodology for analyzing clamping of a PEMFC and constructs a detailed three-dimensional (3D) full-scale finite element (FE) model of a PEMFC with the traditional and most popular point-load design as an example. The numerical method is first validated by experiments. A series of simulations are then performed on the example cases (i.e. 2-bolt, 4-bolt or 6-bolt) to analyze their behaviors on the contact pressure between the bipolar plates and the MEA and the corresponding effects on the GDL porosity and the contact resistance, under the constraints that the membrane and gaskets remain within their respective elastic limits and the porosity of the GDL has a value higher than 0.5. Overall, to complete the analysis procedures proposed in this paper, the results show that the six-bolt clamping mode with a tightening torque of 16 N-m achieves a uniform pressure distribution and a high interfacial pressure, and therefore represents the optimal clamping mode for the performed example cases.

Investigation of Thermal Influence on the Assembly of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks

2012 ◽  
Vol 512-515 ◽  
pp. 1509-1514
Author(s):  
Lin Fa Peng ◽  
Dian Kai Qiu ◽  
Pei Yun Yi ◽  
Xin Min Lai
Keyword(s):  
Thermal Expansion ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Fe Model ◽  
Assembly Process

The assembly force in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) stack affects the characteristics of the porosity and electrical conductivity. Generally, the stack is assembled at room temperature while it’s operated at about 80 °Cor even higher. As a result, the assembly pressure can’t keep constant due to thermal expansion. This paper focuses on the contact pressure between membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and bipolar plates in real operations. A three-dimensional finite element (FE) model for the assembly process is established with coupled thermal-mechanical effects. The discipline of contact pressure under thermal-mechanical effect is investigated. A single cell stack is fabricated in house for the analysis of contact pressures on gas diffusion layer at different temperatures. The results show that as the temperature increases, contact pressure increases due to thermal expansion. It indicates that the influence of thermal expansion due to temperature variation should be taken into consideration for the design of the stack assembly process.

Decreasing contact resistance in proton-exchange membrane fuel cells with metal bipolar plates

2013 ◽  
Vol 227 ◽  
pp. 137-144 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Netwall ◽  
Benjamin D. Gould ◽  
Joseph A. Rodgers ◽  
Nicholas J. Nasello ◽  
Karen E. Swider-Lyons
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Contact Resistance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Effect of Compressive Pressure on the Contact Behavior Between Bipolar Plate and Gas Diffusion Layer in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Guo Li ◽  
Jinzhu Tan ◽  
Jianming Gong
Keyword(s):  
Contact Resistance ◽  
Contact Area ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Contact Resistivity ◽  
Clamping Force ◽  
Compressive Pressure ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The clamping force during the assembly of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells has a great influence in the contact resistance between bipolar plate (BPP) and gas diffusion layer (GDL). In this paper, three different types of carbon papers are used as GDL materials. The contact resistance between BPP and GDL is measured under different applied clamping torques. Based on experimental data, a relationship of compressive pressure resulting from the applied clamping torque and contact resistivity is established by the least square method. Based on the commercial code abaqus, a program is developed to predict the contact resistivity. In addition, the changes of contact pressure, contact area, and porosity of GDL are studied. The experimental result shows that the contact resistivity nonlinearly decreases with increasing of the applied clamping torque. The thicker GDL without fillers has a higher contact resistivity. Finite element analysis (FEA) results show that both contact area and contact pressure increase with increasing of the compressive pressure in the same fillet radius of the rib, except that the fillet radius is zero. The porosity decreases with increase of the clamping force. The contact resistivity is consistent with the experimental results. So it can be predicted very well.

Channel Dimensional Error Effect of Stamped Bipolar Plates on the Characteristics of Gas Diffusion Layer Contact Pressure for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stacks

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Diankai Qiu ◽  
Peiyun Yi ◽  
Linfa Peng ◽  
Xinmin Lai
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Contact Pressure ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Dimensional Error ◽  
Plane Direction ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Thin metallic bipolar plates (BPPs) fabricated by stamping technology are regarded as promising alternatives to traditional graphite BPPs in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. However, during the stamping process, dimensional error in terms of the variation in channel height is inevitable, which results in performance loss for PEM fuel cell stack. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of dimensional error on gas diffusion layer (GDL) pressure characteristics in the multicell stacks. At first, parameterized finite element (FE) model of metallic BPP/GDL assembly is established, and the height of channels is considered as varying parameters of linear distribution according to measurements of actual BPPs. Evaluation methods of GDL contact pressure are developed by considering the pressure distribution in the in-plane and through-plane directions. Then, simulation of the assembly process for a series of multicell stacks is performed to explore the relation between dimensional error and contact pressure based on the evaluation methods. Influences of channel number, cell number, and clamping force on the constitutive relation are discussed. At last, experiments are conducted and pressure sensitive films are used to obtain the actual GDL contact pressure. The numerical results show the same trend as experimental results. This study illustrates that contact pressure of each cell layer is in severely uneven distribution for the in-plane direction, and pressure change is unavoidable for the through-plane direction in the multicell stack, especially for the first several cells close to the endplate. The methodology developed is beneficial to the understanding of the dimensional error effect, and it can also be applied to guide the assembling of PEM fuel cell stack.

scholarly journals Design and Modelling of 3D Bionic Cathode Flow Field for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (19) ◽  
pp. 6044
Author(s):  
Lingfeng Xuan ◽  
Yancheng Wang ◽  
Deqing Mei ◽  
Jingwei Lan
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Flow Field ◽  
Structural Design ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Porous Electrodes ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have been utilized as a promising power source for new energy vehicles. Their performances are greatly affected by the structural design of the flow field in the bipolar plate. In this paper, we present a novel three-dimensional (3D) bionic cathode flow field, inspired by the small intestinal villi. The structural design and working principle of the 3D bionic flow field units are first described. A 3D numerical model is developed to study the mass transfer and distribution of the reactants and products, as well as the polarization performances of the PEMFC with the 3D bionic cathode flow field. The simulation results indicate that the proposed 3D bionic flow field can significantly improve the reaction gas supply from the flow field to porous electrodes, and thus would be beneficial for the removal of liquid water in the cathode. The mass transfer of gas in the PEMFC can be enhanced due to the increasing contact areas between the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and the cathode flow field, and the distribution of currents in the membrane would be more uniform. The obtained results demonstrated the feasibility of using the 3D bionic flow field for the development of highly efficient PEMFCs with high power density.

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