Fundamental Research Needs in Combined Water and Thermal Management Within a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Under Normal and Cold-Start Conditions

2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Satish G. Kandlikar ◽  
Zijie Lu
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Automotive Application ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Each fuel cell component of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) used in automotive application operates most effectively (from performance and durability standpoints) within specific ranges of water content and temperature. The water and heat transport processes are coupled and present a challenge in providing the right balance over the entire range of operating conditions. Another important related aspect is CO poisoning of the electrocatalyst, which adversely affects the fuel cell performance. Freezing and cold-start present additional challenges for automotive PEMFCs. A critical review of the recent developments on these topics is presented in this paper. The study covers both the microscopic and macroscopic aspects of the transport within membrane, catalyst layers, gas diffusion layers, and gas channels, and an overview of the current PEMFC cooling technology. After discussing the current status, suggestions for future work on the above topics are presented.

scholarly journals Modelling of Humidity Dynamics for Open-Cathode Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 106
Author(s):  
Fengxiang Chen ◽  
Liming Zhang ◽  
Jieran Jiao
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Flow Model ◽  
Transport Theory ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Output Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The durability and output performance of a fuel cell is highly influenced by the internal humidity, while in most developed models of open-cathode proton exchange membrane fuel cells (OC-PEMFC) the internal water content is viewed as a fixed value. Based on mass and energy conservation law, mass transport theory and electrochemistry principles, the model of humidity dynamics for OC-PEMFC is established in Simulink® environment, including the electrochemical model, mass flow model and thermal model. In the mass flow model, the water retention property and oxygen transfer characteristics of the gas diffusion layer is modelled. The simulation indicates that the internal humidity of OC-PEMFC varies with stack temperature and operating conditions, which has a significant influence on stack efficiency and output performance. In order to maintain a good internal humidity state during operation, this model can be used to determine the optimal stack temperature and for the design of a proper control strategy.

Multi-Phase Flow and Condensation in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
John M. Stockie
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Phase Flow ◽  
Multi Phase Flow ◽  
Multi Phase ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The porous electrodes in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell are characterized by multi-phase flow, involving liquid water and multispecies gases, that are undergoing both condensation and catalyzed reactions. Careful management of liquid water and heat in the fuel cell system is essential for optimizing performance. The primary focus of this study is thus on condensation and water transport, neither of which have yet been studied in as much detail as other aspects of fuel cell dynamics. We develop a two-dimensional model for multi-phase flow in a porous medium that captures the fundamental transport processes going on in the electrodes. The governing equations are discretized using a finite volume approach, and numerical simulations are performed in order to determine the effect of changing operating conditions on fuel cell performance.

Computational Modelling and Simulation of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (Keynote)

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. Djilali ◽  
T. Berning
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Transport Phenomena ◽  
Computational Modelling ◽  
Ambient Air ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Transport Processes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Fuel cells (FC’s) are electrochemical devices that convert directly into electricity the chemical energy of reaction of a fuel (usually hydrogen) with an oxidant (usually oxygen from ambient air). The only by-products in a hydrogen fuel cell are heat and water, making this emerging technology the leading candidate for quiet, zero emission energy production. Several types of fuel cell are currently undergoing intense research and development for applications ranging from portable electronics and appliances to residential power generation and transportation. The focus of this lecture is Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC’s). An electrolyte consisting of a “solid” polymer membrane, low operating temperatures (typically below 90 °C) and a relatively simple design combine to make PEMFC’s particularly well suited to automotive and portable applications. The operation of a fuel cell relies on electrochemical reactions and an array of coupled transport phenomena, including multi-component gas flow, two phase-flow, heat and mass transfer, phase change and transport of charged species. The transport processes take place in variety of media, including porous gas diffusion electrodes and polymer membranes. The fuel cell environment makes it impossible to measure in-situ the quantities of interest to understand and quantify these phenomena, and computational modelling and simulations are therefore poised to play a central role in the development and optimization of fuel cell technology. We provide an overview of the role of various transport phenomena in fuel cell operation and some of the physical and computational modelling challenges they present. The processes will be illustrated through examples of multi-dimensional numerical simulations of Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells. We close with a perspective on some of the many remaining challenges and future development opportunities.

Numerical investigations of assisted heating cold start strategies for proton exchange membrane fuel cell systems

Energy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 222 ◽  
pp. 119910
Author(s):  
Zirong Yang ◽  
Kui Jiao ◽  
Kangcheng Wu ◽  
Weilong Shi ◽  
Shangfeng Jiang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Numerical Investigations ◽  
Exchange Membrane

scholarly journals Ice Crystallization During Cold-Start of a Proton-Exchange-Membrane Fuel Cell

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 897-905 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. J. Dursch ◽  
J. F. Liu ◽  
G. J. Trigub ◽  
C. J. Radke ◽  
A. Z. Weber
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cold Start ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Ice Crystallization

scholarly journals Design of Incremental Conductance Sliding Mode MPPT Control Applied by Integrated Photovoltaic and Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System under Various Operating Conditions for BLDC Motor

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-14 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jehun Hahm ◽  
Hyoseok Kang ◽  
Jaeho Baek ◽  
Heejin Lee ◽  
Mignon Park
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Sliding Mode ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
System Control ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Pv Array ◽  
Incremental Conductance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

This paper proposes an integrated photovoltaic (PV) and proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) system for continuous energy harvesting under various operating conditions for use with a brushless DC motor. The proposed scheme is based on the incremental conductance (IncCond) algorithm combined with the sliding mode technique. Under changing atmospheric conditions, the energy conversion efficiency of a PV array is very low, leading to significant power losses. Consequently, increasing efficiency by means of maximum power point tracking (MPPT) is particularly important. To manage such a hybrid system, control strategies need to be established to achieve the aim of the distributed system. Firstly, a Matlab/Simulink based model of the PV and PEMFC is developed and validated, as well as the incremental conductance sliding (ICS) MPPT technique; then, different MPPT algorithms are employed to control the PV array under nonuniform temperature and insolation conditions, to study these algorithms effectiveness under various operating conditions. Conventional techniques are easy to implement but produce oscillations at MPP. Compared to these techniques, the proposed technique is more efficient; it produces less oscillation at MPP in the steady state and provides more precise tracking.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document