Effect of dimensional error of metallic bipolar plate on the GDL pressure distribution in the PEM fuel cell

Contact pressure distribution between bipolar plate (BPP) and gas diffusion layer (GDL) has significant impact on performance and life time of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. Most current studies for contact pressure prediction are based on finite-element analysis (FEA), requiring huge computation for the whole fuel cell assembly. Comparatively speaking, the more generalized and well-developed analytical methods are deficient in this field. The objective of this study is to propose a full-scale continuous equivalent model to predict GDL contact pressure effectively in the PEM fuel cell. Using the model, the nonuniform pressure distribution resulted from dimensional errors of metallic BPP and GDL could be obtained. First, a parameterized theoretical model of BPP/GDL assembly is established based on equivalent stiffness analysis of components, and definition methods of dimensional errors are proposed according to actual measurements and Monte Carlo simulation (MCS). Then, experiments are carried out to obtain the actual GDL contact pressure and the model results show good agreement with experimental results. At last, effects of dimensional errors are investigated. Acceptable assembly pressure for a given fuel cell is suggested based on the model. This model is helpful to understand the effect of the dimensional errors, and it also could be adopted to guide the manufacturing of BPP, GDL, and the assembling of PEM fuel cell.

Download Full-text

Study on shape error effect of metallic bipolar plate on the GDL contact pressure distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

International Journal of Hydrogen Energy ◽

10.1016/j.ijhydene.2013.03.105 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 38 (16) ◽

pp. 6762-6772 ◽

Cited By ~ 38

Author(s):

Diankai Qiu ◽

Peiyun Yi ◽

Linfa Peng ◽

Xinmin Lai

Keyword(s):

Fuel Cell ◽

Pressure Distribution ◽

Contact Pressure ◽

Proton Exchange Membrane ◽

Bipolar Plate ◽

Proton Exchange ◽

Shape Error ◽

Contact Pressure Distribution ◽

Metallic Bipolar Plate ◽

Exchange Membrane

Download Full-text

Numerical Simulation and Experimental Study on the Contact Pressure between Bipolar Plate and GDL in a PEM Fuel Cell

Applied Mechanics and Materials ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amm.750.220 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 750 ◽

pp. 220-225

Author(s):

Xue Mei Han ◽

Jin Zhu Tan ◽

Yong Chang Liu ◽

Peng Li ◽

Long Pan

Keyword(s):

Experimental Study ◽

Finite Element ◽

Fuel Cell ◽

Pressure Distribution ◽

Contact Pressure ◽

Operating Temperature ◽

Pem Fuel Cell ◽

Bipolar Plate ◽

Experimental Results ◽

Contact Pressure Distribution

Both assembly force and temperature play an important role in the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance. In this paper, contact pressure between bipolar plate and gas diffusion layer (GDL) in a PEM fuel cell under various assembly forces and at different temperatures was studied numerically. Considering the coupling effects of assembly force and operating temperature on contact pressure, a three-dimensional finite element model of the PEM fuel cell was established and the contact pressure between the GDL and the bipolar plate was studied using commercial code ABAQUS. In order to verify the simulated results, the experimental study was conducted to investigate the contact pressure distribution between the bipolar plate and the GDL. The experimental results are in good agreement with the finite element method (FEM) results. The simulated and experimental results reveal that the contact pressure increased with the increase of assembly force and temperature. It is found that the contact pressure distribution between the bipolar plate and the GDL had the best uniformity under the applied torque of 3.0N·m and at the operating temperature of 80 °C in this work.

Download Full-text