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 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.

3-D Model of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianhong Zhou ◽  
Hongtan Liu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Three Dimensional Model ◽  
Chemical Reaction Kinetics ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
D Model

Abstract A comprehensive three-dimensional model for a proton exchanger membrane (PEM) fuel cell is developed to evaluate the effects of various design and operating parameters on fuel cell performance. The geometrical model includes two distinct flow channels separated by the membrane and electrode assembly (MEA). This model is developed by coupling the governing equations for reactant mass transport and chemical reaction kinetics. To facilitate the numerical solution, the full PEM fuel cell was divided into three coupled domains according to the flow characteristics. The 3-D model has been applied to study species transport, heat transfer, and current density distributions within a fuel cell. The predicated polarization behavior is shown to compare well with experimental data from the literature. The modeling results demonstrate good potential for this computational model to be used in operation simulation as well as design optimization.

NUMERICAL INVESTIGATION OF THE EFFECT OF INLET GASES HUMIDITY ON POLYMER EXCHANGE MEMBRANE FUEL CELL (PEMFC) PERFORMANCE.

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nima Ahmadi ◽  
Sajad Rezazadeh ◽  
Mirkazem Yekani ◽  
Alireza Fakouri ◽  
Iraj Mirzaee
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Transport Phenomena ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Numerical Results ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Base Case ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A full three-dimensional, single phase model of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has been developed. A single set of conservation equations developed and numerically solved using a finite volume based computational fluid dynamics technique. In present investigation some parameters such as transport phenomena, fuel cell performance for conventional model (base case) and the effect of inlet gases humidity on cell performance were investigated in more details. The numerical results prove that the inlet gases humidity and membrane water management are most important parameters that affect cell performance and transport phenomena in fuel cell. Finally the numerical results are compared with experimental data, which represent good agreement.

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.

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.

The Influence of Water and Thermal Conditions on the Performance of PEM Fuel Cell

2003 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Y. Yan ◽  
L. Y. Sung ◽  
H. S. Chu ◽  
K. C. Tsay ◽  
F. S. Tsu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Water Molecule ◽  
Water Content ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Influence Of Water ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Reactant Flow

The conditions of water content in the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) are studied in this research. It is known that the hydrogen proton should accompany with water molecule in order to drift through the membrane from anode to cathode. This drift force will concern to the fuel cell performance. However, too much water content may result of flooding. When flooding appears, some catalyst surfaces may be covered with water and result of the catalysts inactive. This will reduce the electrochemical reaction rate. Furthermore, due to the water molecule will occupy the space, this will hinder the reactant molecules approaching to the catalyst. Therefore, the management of water for the fuel cells is very important. The performance can be optimized with a better control of cell conditions. Some important conditions that concern to the heat and water management are investigated. They include cell temperature, reactant flow rate, humidity and pressure. A standard single cell stack with active area of 25cm2 was set for this study.

Highly proton conductive membranes based on carboxylated cellulose nanofibres and their performance in proton exchange membrane fuel cells

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentina Guccini ◽  
Annika Carlson ◽  
Shun Yu ◽  
Göran Lindbergh ◽  
Rakel Wreland Lindström ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Surface Charge ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Membrane Surface ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Thickness ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Cellulose Nanofibres ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The performance of thin carboxylated cellulose nanofiber-based (CNF) membranes as proton exchange membranes in fuel cells has been measured in-situ as a function of CNF surface charge density (600 and 1550 µmol g<sup>-1</sup>), counterion (H<sup>+</sup>or Na<sup>+</sup>), membrane thickness and fuel cell relative humidity (RH 55 to 95 %). The structural evolution of the membranes as a function of RH as measured by Small Angle X-ray scattering shows that water channels are formed only above 75 % RH. The amount of absorbed water was shown to depend on the membrane surface charge and counter ions (Na<sup>+</sup>or H<sup>+</sup>). The high affinity of CNF for water and the high aspect ratio of the nanofibers, together with a well-defined and homogenous membrane structure, ensures a proton conductivity exceeding 1 mS cm<sup>-1</sup>at 30 °C between 65 and 95 % RH. This is two orders of magnitude larger than previously reported values for cellulose materials and only one order of magnitude lower than Nafion 212. Moreover, the CNF membranes are characterized by a lower hydrogen crossover than Nafion, despite being ≈ 30 % thinner. Thanks to their environmental compatibility and promising fuel cell performance the CNF membranes should be considered for new generation proton exchange membrane fuel cells.<br>

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document