A Parametric Study of Bipolar Plate Structural Parameters on the Performance of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2012 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Salar Imanmehr ◽  
Nader Pourmahmod
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
The Impact

In this research, the impact of structural parameters of bipolar plates on the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance has been investigated using numerical method, and this model incorporates all the essential fundamental physical and electrochemical processes occurring in the membrane electrolyte, cathode catalyst layer, electrode backing, and flow channel, with some assumptions in each part. In formulation of this model, the cell is assumed to work under steady state conditions. Also, since the thickness of the cell is negligible compared to other dimensions, one-dimensional and isothermal approximations are used. The structural parameters considered in this paper are: the width of channels (Wc), the width of support (Ws), the number of gas channels (ng), the height of channels (hc), and the height of supports (hp). The results show that structural parameters of bipolar plates have a great impact on outlet voltage in high current densities. Also, the number of gas channels, their surface area, the contacting area of bipolar plates, and electrodes have a great effect on the rate of reaction and consequently on outlet voltage. The model predictions have been compared with the existing experimental results available in the literature, and excellent agreement has been demonstrated between the model results and the experimental data for the cell polarization curve.

Carbon Nanotube Free-Standing Film of Pt/MWNTs as a Bifunctional Component in Hydrogen Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2007 ◽  
Vol 1018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason M. Tang ◽  
Kurt Jensen ◽  
Paul Larsen ◽  
Wenzhen Li ◽  
Mikhail E. Itkis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Peak Performance ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Free Standing ◽  
Exchange Membrane

AbstractConventional fuel cell architecture on one side of the membrane electrode assembly consists of a carbon backing layer, hydrophobic microporous layer (MPL), and a catalyst layer, which is in contact with the solid proton exchange membrane. Pt nanoparticles are deposited onto multi-walled carbon nanotubes (Pt/MWNTs) and a free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs is fabricated to act as the MPL and the catalyst layer in hydrogen fuel cells. The free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs condenses two functions into one bifunctional layer that simplifies the fuel cell fabrication procedure. Fuel cell polarization performance improves when using the free-standing film of Pt/MWNTs without the MPL resulting in a higher peak performance of 1.2 W/cm2 in comparison with 1.0 W/cm2 when in the presence of a MPL.

Nanofiber Cathode Catalyst Layer Model for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dennis O. Dever ◽  
Richard A. Cairncross ◽  
Yossef A. Elabd
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Alternative Methods ◽  
Cathode Catalyst ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The cathode catalyst layer in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is now known to contain ionomer nanofibers and experiments have demonstrated a fuel cell performance increase of ∼10% due to those nanofibers. The experiments demonstrate that ionomer nanofibers have proton conductivities that exceed those of the bulk form of the ionomer by more than an order of magnitude. A new model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell is presented here that predicts the effect of nanofibers on cell performance in terms of the enhanced nanofiber proton conductivity and other relevant variables. The model peak cell power density is ∼7% greater for the case with 10% of the cathode catalyst layer ionomer in nanofiber form versus the same case without nanofibers. This difference is consistent with trends observed in previously published experimental results. These results are significant since they suggest alternative methods to reduce platinum loading in fuel cells and to optimize fuel cell performance.

scholarly journals Analyzing the impact of Temperature on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell performance Using Matlab

2018 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-14
Author(s):  
Aftab Ahmed Khuhro
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Produced Water ◽  
Electrical Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
The Impact

The Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel cell (PEMFC) is an electrochemical engine that converts the chemical energy of hydrogen into electrical energy. It receives hydrogen at anode and oxygen at the cathode side, due to chemical reaction at electrodes electronic current, water, and heat are produced. Heat produced causes problem for current produced, cell performance and may lead to a phase change of water produced. Water produced causes flooding at electrodes and membrane which requires a specific amount of water only. This study uses Mat lab to analyze the impact of temperature on different parameters which have a significant effect on heat and mass flow. This study shows the performance of Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell reduces with increase in temperature significantly during operation of the cell. Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell is suitable for transport, automobile, and other applications.

scholarly journals A Microscopic Continuum Model of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Electrode Catalyst Layer

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. W. Armstrong ◽  
M. R. von Spakovsky
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Active Layer ◽  
Parametric Study ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Active Layers ◽  
Platinum Particles ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A series of steady-state microscopic continuum models of the cathode catalyst layer (active layer) of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell are developed and presented. These models incorporate O2 species and ion transport while taking a discrete look at the platinum particles within the active layer. The 2-D axisymmetric nonporous Agglomerate Model of Bultel, Ozil, and Durand (2000) implemented, validated, and used in Armstrong (2004) to generate various results related to the performance of the active layer with changes in thermodynamic conditions and geometry is presented first. The nonporous Agglomerate Model, which is further developed, implemented, and validated in Armstrong (2004) to include, among other factors, pores, flooding, and both humidified air and humidified O2, is presented next. All models are implemented and solved using FEMAP® (2002) and a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) solver developed by Blue Ridge Numerics, Inc. (BRNI) called CFDesign® (2003). The use of these models for the discrete modeling of platinum particles is shown to be beneficial for understanding the behavior of a fuel cell. The addition of gas pores is shown to promote high current densities due to increased species transport throughout the agglomerate. Flooding is considered, and its effect on the cathode active layer is evaluated. The model takes various transport and electrochemical kinetic parameter values from the literature in order to do a parametric study showing the degree to which temperature, pressure, and geometry are crucial to overall performance. This parametric study quantifies, among a number of other things, the degree to which lower porosities for thick active layers and higher porosities for thin active layers are advantageous to fuel cell performance. Cathode active layer performance is shown not to be solely a function of catalyst surface area, but discrete catalyst placement within the agglomerate.

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