An Experimental Study of the Effect of a Turbulence Grid on the Stack Performance of an Air-Cooled Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2019 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saher Al Shakhshir ◽  
Xin Gao ◽  
Torsten Berning
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Limiting Current ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Turbulence Grid

Abstract In a previous numerical study on heat and mass transfer in air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cells, it was found that the performance is limited by heat transfer to the cathode side air stream that serves as a coolant, and it was proposed to place a turbulence grid before the cathode inlet in order to induce a mixing effect to the air and thereby improve the heat transfer and ultimately increase the limiting current and maximum power density. The current work summarizes experiments with different turbulence grids which varied in terms of their pore size, grid thickness, rib width, angle of the pores, and the distance between the grid and the cathode inlet. For all grids tested in this study, the limiting current density of a Ballard Mark 1020 ACS stack was increased by 20%. The single most important parameter was the distance between the turbulence grid and the cathode inlet, and it should be within 5 mm. For the best grid tested, the fuel cell stack voltage and thus the efficiency were increased by up to 20%. The power density was increased by more than 30% and further improvements are believed to be possible.

The Effects of Feeding Configurations to Water Flooding and General Performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. B. Mahmud Hasan ◽  
S. M. Guo ◽  
S. V. Ekkad
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Bipolar Plate ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Water Flooding ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The performance of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) using different feeding configurations has been studied. Three bipolar plates, namely serpentine, straight channel and interdigitated designs, were arranged in different combinations for the PEMFC anode and cathode sides. Nine combinations in total were tested under different flow rates, working temperatures and loadings. The cell voltage versus current density and the cell power density versus current density curves were obtained. After operating the PEMFC under high current densities, the cell was split and the water flooding in the feeding channels was visually inspected. Experimental results showed that for different feeding configurations, interdigitated bipolar plate in anode side and serpentine bipolar plate in cathode side had the best performance in terms of cell voltage-current density curve, power density output rate, percentage of flooded area in the feeding channels, the pattern of flooding and the fuel utilization rate.

A Comparative 1D Analysis of PEM, SO and DB Fuel Cells

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Isaac Perez-Raya ◽  
Michael W. Ellis ◽  
Abel Hernandez-Guerrero ◽  
Francisco Elizalde-Blancas ◽  
Carlos U. Gonzalez-Valle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Sodium Borohydride ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Solid Oxide ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Technical Problems ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Although fuel cells represent an attractive alternative for electricity generation, different technical problems, such as the hydrogen storage, have not been solved, as yet. Nowadays direct sodium borohydride fuel cells are considered as a promising technology since NaBH4 (fuel) is a stable, nonflammable and nontoxic liquid solution. In the present study a one-dimensional numerical study of a proton exchange membrane, a solid oxide, and a direct sodium borohydride fuel cell is performed. The objective of this work is to compare qualitatively the fuel cell performance between these technologies. For proton exchange membrane and solid oxide fuel cells there are already established useful models and correlations widely known, and used, to predict the current density and the power generated. Direct Borohydride fuel cells, on the other hand, are still in their early developments; in the present paper DBFCs are analyzed using a novel model. This proposed model for DBFCs includes the prediction of the NaBH4 oxidation in the anode side, the H2O2 reduction in the cathode side and the effect of the solution concentration and temperature on the membrane. It is noteworthy mentioning that this last effect has not been integrated in any of the established models in the current technical literature.

Observation of Pressure Drop Behavior in an Operating Fuel Cell Stack

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frano Barbir ◽  
Haluk Gorgun ◽  
Xinting Wang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pressure Drop ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Drying Conditions ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
The Relationship

Pressure drop on the cathode side of a PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell stack has been studied and used as a diagnostic tool. Since the Reynolds number at the beginning of the flow field channel was <250, the flow through the channel is laminar, and the relationship between the pressure drop and the flow rate is linear. Some departure from linearity was observed when water was either introduced in the stack or produced inside the stack in the electrochemical reaction. By monitoring the pressure drop in conjunction with the cell resistance in an operational fuel cell stack, it was possible to diagnose either flooding or drying conditions inside the stack.

Numerical analysis of static and dynamic heat transfer behaviors inside proton exchange membrane fuel cell

2021 ◽  
Vol 488 ◽  
pp. 229419
Author(s):  
Qianqian Wang ◽  
Fumin Tang ◽  
Bing Li ◽  
Haifeng Dai ◽  
Jim P. Zheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Dynamic Heat Transfer ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Optimum Design and Performance Simulation of a Multi-device Integrated System Based on a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2022 ◽  
pp. 1-33
Author(s):  
Xiuqin Zhang ◽  
Wentao Cheng ◽  
Qiubao Lin ◽  
Longquan Wu ◽  
Junyi Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Power Output ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Waste Heat ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Integrated System ◽  
Interior Space ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Abstract Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) based on syngas are a promising technology for electric vehicle applications. To increase the fuel conversion efficiency, the low-temperature waste heat from the PEMFC is absorbed by a refrigerator. The absorption refrigerator provides cool air for the interior space of the vehicle. Between finishing the steam reforming reaction and flowing into the fuel cell, the gases release heat continuously. A Brayton engine is introduced to absorb heat and provide a useful power output. A novel thermodynamic model of the integrated system of the PEMFC, refrigerator, and Brayton engine is established. Expressions for the power output and efficiency of the integrated system are derived. The effects of some key parameters are discussed in detail to attain optimum performance of the integrated system. The simulation results show that when the syngas consumption rate is 4.0 × 10−5 mol s−1cm−2, the integrated system operates in an optimum state, and the product of the efficiency and power density reaches a maximum. In this case, the efficiency and power density of the integrated system are 0.28 and 0.96 J s−1 cm−2, respectively, which are 46% higher than those of a PEMFC.

The Effect of Inlet Parameters on Fluid Flow and Cell Performance at Cathode of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Utku Gulan ◽  
Hasmet Turkoglu ◽  
Irfan Ar
Keyword(s):  
Reynolds Number ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Power Density ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Oxygen Mole Fraction

In this study, the fluid flow and cell performance in cathode side of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell were numerically analyzed. The problem domain consists of cathode gas channel, cathode gas diffusion layer, and cathode catalyst layer. The equations governing the motion of air, concentration of oxygen, and electrochemical reactions were numerically solved. A computer program was developed based on control volume method and SIMPLE algorithm. The mathematical model and program developed were tested by comparing the results of numerical simulations with the results from literature. Simulations were performed for different values of inlet Reynolds number and inlet oxygen mole fraction at different operation temperatures. Using the results of these simulations, the effects of these parameters on the flow, oxygen concentration distribution, current density and power density were analyzed. The simulations showed that the oxygen concentration in the catalyst layer increases with increasing Reynolds number and hence the current density and power density of the PEM fuel cell also increases. Analysis of the data obtained from simulations also shows that current density and power density of the PEM fuel cell increases with increasing operation temperature. It is also observed that increasing the inlet oxygen mole fraction increases the current density and power density.

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