Effect of Non-Uniform Clamping Pressure on PEM Fuel Cell Stack Performance

2007 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fekrazad ◽  
T. L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Compressive Force ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Clamping Pressure

A three-dimensional model of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell stack is developed. Taking advantage of the geometrical periodicity of a typical stack assembly, the model is used to predict the thermal, humidity, and electrochemical distributions within the fuel cell. Of particular interest is the effect of the compressive force used to assemble the stack on the fuel cell’s (a) power output and (b) internal temperature distribution. Application of non-uniform clamping pressure is considered, and predictions suggest that thermal conditions within the stack can be made more uniform with negligible impact on the fuel cell power. Hence, improved fuel cell stack durability might be achieved through judicious application of non-uniform clamping pressures for stack assembly.

Effect of Nonuniform Stack Compression on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Temperature Distributions

2008 ◽  
Vol 130 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fekrazad ◽  
T. L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Compressive Load ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Cell Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A three-dimensional model is used to predict the power output and internal temperature distribution of a small proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack. Of particular interest is the influence of nonuniform stack compression on thermal conditions inside the fuel cell. A dimensionless membrane isothermality is correlated with a dimensionless compressive load distribution, suggesting that similar relationships may be developed for other fuel cell geometries. Fuel cell performance, in terms of minimizing temperature variations inside the device, can be enhanced by application of nonuniform stack compression.

Effect of Clamping Pressure on PEM Fuel Cell Stack Performance

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fekrazad ◽  
T. L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Thermal Contact ◽  
Compressive Load ◽  
Compressive Force ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Clamping Pressure

A two-dimensional mathematical model of a Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cell stack is developed. Taking advantage of the geometrical periodicity within the stack, the model is used to predict the detailed thermal, humidity, and electrochemical behavior of the fuel cell. Using recently-reported experimental results, the electrical and thermal contact resistances that develop within the stack, in response to the compressive force used to assemble the stack, are accounted for. The fuel cell performance, reported in terms of its power output and internal temperature distributions, is predicted to be very sensitive to the compressive load applied to the stack.

A THREE DIMENSIONAL MODEL OF MEMBRANE IN PEM FUEL CELL

2005 ◽  
Vol 19 (28n29) ◽  
pp. 1683-1686 ◽  
Author(s):  
HAO WU ◽  
JUN CAO
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
New Equation ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Variable Water ◽  
Good Agreement ◽  
Cell Study

In this proton exchange membrane fuel cell study, we present a transport equation for water molar concentration in the membrane; we also present a new equation for the membrane potential loss that strictly accounts for variable water content. Both 2-D and 3-D numerical simulations using our new membrane model are performed and compared with each other, and the 3-D numerical results are shown in good agreement with the experimentally acquired data.

The Effect of Compressive Load on Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Performance and Behavior

2006 ◽  
Vol 129 (8) ◽  
pp. 1004-1013 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Fekrazad ◽  
T. L. Bergman
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Thermal Contact ◽  
Compressive Load ◽  
Compressive Force ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Electrochemical Characteristics ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A two-dimensional model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack is developed. Taking advantage of the geometrical periodicity of the stack, the model is used to predict the detailed thermal and electrochemical characteristics of the fuel cell. Using recently reported as well as new experimental results, the electrical and thermal contact resistances and modifications in the gas diffusion layer transport properties that develop within the stack in response to changes in the compressive force used to assemble the stack are accounted for. The fuel cell stack performance, reported in terms of its power output and internal temperature distributions, is very sensitive to the compressive load.

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.

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