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.

Transient Response of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell to Variations in Operating Parameters

2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Verma ◽  
R. Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Single Channel ◽  
Rapid Change ◽  
Transient Behavior ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Parameters ◽  
Complex Species ◽  
Cyclic Changes

Due to rapid change in loads during automotive applications, study of dynamic behavior of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells is of paramount importance for their successful deployment in mobile applications. Toward understanding the effects of changes in operating parameters on the transient behavior, this paper presents numerical simulations for a single channel PEM fuel cell undergoing cyclic changes in operating parameters. The objective is to elucidate the complex interaction between power response and complex species (water, hydrogen and oxygen) transport dynamics for applied cyclic changes. This study focuses on studying the transient response of fuel cell for specified changes in operating parameters — voltage, pressure and stoichiometry at the cathode and the anode. Numerical studies are carried out on single-channel PEMFC’s to illustrate the response of power as the operating parameters are subjected to specified changes. The operating parameters are further optimized using a one dimensional physics based model with an objective to match the power requirements of a drive cycle over a defined period of time.

Artificial Neural Network Modeling of PEM Fuel Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaoduan Ou ◽  
Luke E. K. Achenie
Keyword(s):  
Neural Network ◽  
Artificial Neural Network ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Back Propagation ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Optimal Operating ◽  
Cell Systems ◽  
Artificial Neural

Artificial neural network (ANN) approaches for modeling of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells have been investigated in this study. This type of data-driven approach is capable of inferring functional relationships among process variables (i.e., cell voltage, current density, feed concentration, airflow rate, etc.) in fuel cell systems. In our simulations, ANN models have shown to be accurate for modeling of fuel cell systems. Specifically, different approaches for ANN, including back-propagation feed-forward networks, and radial basis function networks, were considered. The back-propagation approach with the momentum term gave the best results. A study on the effect of Pt loading on the performance of a PEM fuel cell was conducted, and the simulated results show good agreement with the experimental data. Using the ANN model, an optimization model for determining optimal operating points of a PEM fuel cell has been developed. Results show the ability of the optimizer to capture the optimal operating point. The overall goal is to improve fuel cell system performance through numerical simulations and minimize the trial and error associated with laboratory experiments.

scholarly journals Effects of hydrogen relative humidity on the performance of an air-breathing PEM fuel cell

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (4) ◽  
pp. 2077-2097 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenxiao Chen ◽  
Derek Ingham ◽  
Mohammed Ismail ◽  
Lin Ma ◽  
Kevin J. Hughes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Transfer Coefficient ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Air Breathing ◽  
Content Type ◽  
The Heat Transfer Coefficient

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of hydrogen humidity on the performance of air-breathing proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Design/methodology/approach An efficient mathematical model for air-breathing PEM fuel cells has been built in MATLAB. The sensitivity of the fuel cell performance to the heat transfer coefficient is investigated first. The effect of hydrogen humidity is also studied. In addition, under different hydrogen humidities, the most appropriate thickness of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) is investigated. Findings The heat transfer coefficient dictates the performance limiting mode of the air-breathing PEM fuel cell, the modelled air-breathing fuel cell is limited by the dry-out of the membrane at high current densities. The performance of the fuel cell is mainly influenced by the hydrogen humidity. Besides, an optimal cathode GDL and relatively thinner anode GDL are favoured to achieve a good performance of the fuel cell. Practical implications The current study improves the understanding of the effect of the hydrogen humidity in air-breathing fuel cells and this new model can be used to investigate different component properties in real designs. Originality/value The hydrogen relative humidity and the GDL thickness can be controlled to improve the performance of air-breathing fuel cells.

Alloys that form conductive and passivating oxides for proton exchange membrane fuel cell bipolar plates

2004 ◽  
Vol 19 (6) ◽  
pp. 1723-1729 ◽  
Author(s):  
Neil Aukland ◽  
Abdellah Boudina ◽  
David S. Eddy ◽  
Joseph V. Mantese ◽  
Margarita P. Thompson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Oxide Films ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Concentrated Solutions ◽  
Exchange Membrane

During the operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, a high-resistance oxide is often formed on the cathode surface of base metal bipolar plates. Over time, this corrosion mechanism leads to a drop in fuel cell efficiency and potentially to complete failure. To address this problem, we have developed alloys capable of forming oxides that are both conductive and chemically stable under PEM fuel cell operating conditions. Five alloys of titanium with tantalum or niobium were investigated. The oxides were formed on the alloys by cyclic voltammetry in solutions mimicking the cathode- and anode-side environment of a PEM fuel cell. The oxides of all tested alloys had lower surface resistance than the oxide of pure titanium. We also investigated the chemical durability of Ti–Nb and Ti–Ta alloys in more concentrated solutions beyond those typically found in PEM fuel cells. The oxide films formed on Ti–Nb and Ti–Ta alloys remained conductive and chemically stable in these concentrated solutions. The stability of the oxide films was evaluated; Ti alloys having 3% Ta and Nb were identified as potential candidates for bipolar plate materials.

scholarly journals Transparent PEM Fuel Cells for Direct Visualisation Experiments

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. I. Rosli ◽  
M. Pourkashanian ◽  
D. B. Ingham ◽  
L. Ma ◽  
D. Borman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Field Pattern ◽  
Cell Design ◽  
Serpentine Flow Field ◽  
Initial Work ◽  
Water Behavior ◽  
Visual Results

This paper reviews some of the previous research works on direct visualisation inside PEM fuel cells via a transparent single cell for the water behaviour investigation. Several papers which have employed the method have been selected and summarised and a comparison between the design of the cell, materials, methods and visual results are presented. The important aspects, advantages of the method and a summary on the previous work are discussed. Some initial work on transparent PEM fuel cell design using a single serpentine flow-field pattern is described. The results show that the direct visualisation via transparent PEM fuel cells could be one potential technique for investigating the water behavior inside the channels and a very promising way forward to provide useful data for validation in PEM fuel cell modelling and simulation.

scholarly journals Modeling and experimental study of PEM fuel cell transient response for automotive applications

2009 ◽  
Vol 14 (5) ◽  
pp. 639-645 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jianfeng Hua ◽  
Liangfei Xu ◽  
Xinfan Lin ◽  
Minggao Ouyang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Study ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Transient Response ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Automotive Applications

Characterizing Performance of a PEM Fuel Cell for a CMET Balloon

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Denise A. McKahn ◽  
Whitney McMackin
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mass Density ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Cell Polarization ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Design System ◽  
Power Densities

We present the design of a multi-cell, low temperature PEM fuel cell for controlled meteorological balloons. Critical system design parameters that distinguish this application are the lack of reactant humidification and cooling due to the low power production, high required power mass-density and relatively short flight durations. The cell is supplied with a pressure regulated and dead ended anode, and flow controlled cathode at variable air stoichiometry. The cell is not heated and allowed to operate with unregulated temperature. Our prototype cell was capable of achieving power densities of 43 mW/cm2/cell or 5.4 mW/g. The cell polarization performance of large format PEM fuel cell stacks is an order of magnitude greater than for miniature PEM fuel cells. These performance discrepancies are a result of cell design, system architecture, and reactant and thermal management, indicating that there are significant gains to be made in these domains. We then present design modifications intended to enable the miniature PEM fuel cell to achieve power densities of 13 mW/g, indicating that additional performance gains must be made with improvements in operating conditions targeting achievable power densities of standard PEM fuel cells.

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