A Real-Time Pseudo-2D Bi-Domain Model of PEM Fuel Cells for Automotive Applications

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alireza Goshtasbi ◽  
Benjamin L. Pence ◽  
Tulga Ersal
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Real Time ◽  
Computational Efficiency ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Domain Model ◽  
Homogeneous Catalyst ◽  
Automotive Applications ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
On Line

With the goal of on-line diagnosis for automotive applications in mind, a real-time model of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cell is developed. The model draws from the authors’ previous modeling effort in this area and extends its domain to incorporate transport under the lands. Transport in the catalyst and micro-porous layers, which were previously omitted, are also included in the model. Membrane water transport model is modified accordingly. Moreover, a recently developed homogeneous catalyst layer model is used to describe local oxygen transport resistance in the cathode catalyst layer. Computational efficiency is achieved through spatio-temporal decoupling of the problem, which simplifies the handling of the nonlinear terms. This computational efficiency is demonstrated by a set of simulations that resemble operation under conditions encountered in automotive applications. Moreover, simulation results of the model are in qualitative agreement with earlier computationally intensive modeling studies as well as experimental observations. The current modeling study demonstrates a significant potential for using relatively high-fidelity physics-based models on-line to improve fuel cell performance and durability, which can have a profound impact on its commercialization.

The Effect of Variable Catalyst Loading in Electrodes on PEM Fuel Cell Performance

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Roshandel ◽  
B. Farhanieh
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Catalyst Loading ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Reactant Concentration

Catalyst layers are one the important parts of the PEM fuel cells as they are the main place for electrochemical reaction taking place in anode and cathode of the cells. The amount of catalyst loading of this layer has a large effect on PEM fuel cell performance. Non-uniformity of reactant concentration could lead to a variation of current density in anode and cathode catalyst layer. The main reason for this phenomenon is porosity variation due to two effects: 1. compression of electrode on the solid landing area and 2. Water produced at the cathode side of diffusion layer. In this study the effect of variable current density in anode and cathode electrode on cell performance is investigated. It has shown that better cell performance could be achieved by adding a certain amount of catalyst loading to each electrode, with respect to the reactant concentration.

Performance of PEM Fuel Cells at Sub-Freezing Temperatures

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Mishler ◽  
Yun Wang ◽  
Roger Lujan ◽  
Rodney L. Borup ◽  
Rangachary Mukundan
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Voltage ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Start Up ◽  
Fundamental Understanding ◽  
Freezing Temperatures

The ability of the polymer electrolyte fuel cell to start up at sub-freezing temperatures, also called cold start, is paramount for its transportation application. The ability to cold start is governed by whether the fuel cell is able to overcome 0 °C before the produced ice terminates the electrochemical reaction. Therefore, fundamental understanding of the fuel cell performance at sub-freezing temperatures is highly needed to improve its cold start characteristics. In this work, we investigated the fuel cell sub-freezing operation through experimental investigation. PEFCs using various membranes and catalyst layer configurations were constructed. In particular, various catalyst layer thickness, ionomer-catalyst ratios, RHs, and membrane thicknesses were considered, and their influence on fuel cell cold start performance was investigated. The voltage, current, high-frequency resistance, and the coulombs passed before failure were recorded and presented to reveal the fuel cell cold start operation. Further, a simplified analysis of cold start was performed based on an electrode model. The cell voltage evolution and solid water build up were predicted and compared with the experimental data.

Effect of Vibration on the Liquid Water Transport of PEM Fuel Cells

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luis Breziner ◽  
Peter Strahs ◽  
Parsaoran Hutapea
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Transport ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Sinusoidal Vibration ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Liquid Water Transport

The objective of this research is to analyze the effects of vibration on the performance of hydrogen PEM fuel cells. It has been reported that if the liquid water transport across the gas diffusion layer (GDL) changes, so does the overall cell performance. Since many fuel cells operate under a vibrating environment –as in the case of automotive applications, this may influence the liquid water concentration across the GDL at different current densities, affecting the overall fuel cell performance. The problem was developed in two main steps. First, the basis for an analytical model was established using current models for water transport in porous media. Then, a series of experiments were carried, monitoring the performance of the fuel cell for different parameters of oscillation. For sinusoidal vibration at 10, 20 and 50Hz (2 g of magnitude), a decrease in the fuel cell performance by 2.2%, 1.1% and 1.3% was recorded when compared to operation at no vibration respectively. For 5 g of magnitude, the fuel cell reported a drop of 5.8% at 50 Hz, whereas at 20 Hz the performance increased by 1.3%. Although more extensive experimentation is needed to identify a relationship between magnitude and frequency of vibration affecting the performance of the fuel cell as well as a throughout examination of the liquid water formation in the cathode, this study shows that sinusoidal vibration, overall, affects the performance of PEM fuel cells.

scholarly journals Nonisothermal two‐phase modeling of the effect of linear nonuniform catalyst layer on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (10) ◽  
pp. 3575-3587
Author(s):  
Seyedali Sabzpoushan ◽  
Hassan Jafari Mosleh ◽  
Soheil Kavian ◽  
Mohsen Saffari Pour ◽  
Omid Mohammadi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Membrane ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Electrolyte Membrane

Fabrication and Performance Evaluation of Miniaturized Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cells

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Zhang ◽  
Pei-Wen Li ◽  
Qing-Ming Wang ◽  
Laura Schaefer ◽  
Minking K. Chyu
Keyword(s):  
Mass Transfer ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Free Convection ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cathode Side ◽  
Ohmic Loss ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

Two types of miniaturized PEM fuel cells are designed and characterized in comparison with a compact commercial fuel cell device in this paper. One has Nafion® membrane electrolyte sandwiched by two brass bipolar plates with micromachined meander-like gas channels. The cross-sectional area of the gas flow channel is approximately 250 by 250 (μm). The other uses the same Nafion® membrane and anode structure, but in stead of the brass plate, a thin stainless steel plate with perforated round holes is used at cathode side. The new cathode structure is expected to allow oxygen (air) being supplied by free-convection mass transfer. The characteristic curves of the fuel cell devices are measured. The activation loss and ohmic loss of the fuel cells have been estimated using empirical equations. Critical issues such as flow arrangement, water removing and air feeding modes concerning the fuel cell performance are investigated in this research. The experimental results demonstrate that the miniaturized fuel cell with free air convection mode is a simple and reliable way for fuel cell operation that could be employed in potential applications although the maximum achievable current density is less favorable due to limited mass transfer of oxygen (air). The relation between the fuel cell dimensions and the maximum achievable current density is also discussed with respect to free-convection mode of air feeding.

Analysis and Optimization of Transient Response of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Verma ◽  
R. Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Automotive Applications

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are well suited for automotive applications compared to other types of fuel cells owing to their faster transient response and low-temperature operation. Due to rapid change in loads during automotive applications, study of dynamic behavior is of paramount importance. This study focuses on elucidating the transient response of a PEM fuel cell for specified changes in operating parameters, namely, voltage, pressure, and stoichiometry at the cathode and the anode. Transient numerical simulations are carried out for a single-channel PEM fuel cell to illustrate the response of power as the operating parameters are subjected to specified changes. These parameters are also optimized with an objective to match the power requirements of an automotive drive cycle over a certain period of time.

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