Experimental Investigations on a PEMFC at Sub-Freezing Temperatures

2008 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Pinton ◽  
Y. Fourneron ◽  
S. Rosini ◽  
L. Antoni
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Ice Formation ◽  
Cathode Layer ◽  
Experimental Investigations ◽  
Operating Voltage ◽  
Initial Water ◽  
Wide Range

Ice/frost formation in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) operating under sub-zero temperatures can lead to its shutdown during start up. Isothermal potentiostatic and galvanostatic tests were performed on 220 cm2 single cells under a wide range of operating conditions in order to investigate the “cold start” behaviour. Different parameters have been investigated: the initial water contained in the membrane, the operating voltage, the cell temperature and current. An optimal wetting level of the fuel cell (FC) core for which cumulated heat generated by the electrochemical reaction is maximal, has been observed. Water management analysis from the membrane coupled with cell resistance measurement allowed to formulating a phenomenological interpretation of the overall performance evolution of the FC. FC starving is not only due to ice formation in the cathode layer pores, thus hindering oxygen transport. It is also due to ice formation in active reaction sites increasing the electrical resistance of the cell. Both factors dramatically reduce FC performance under load. The relative balance of each effect has been assessed.

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.

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.

A Methodology for Assessing Fuel Cell Performance Under a Wide Range of Operational Conditions: Results for Single Cells

2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 226-233 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrea Baratella ◽  
Roberto Bove ◽  
Piero Lunghi
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Effective Parameters ◽  
Test Procedures ◽  
Operational Conditions ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The University

Testing the performance of fuel cells is an important key for verifying technology improvements and for demonstrating their potential. However, due to the novelty of this technology, there is not a standardized procedure for testing fuel cell performance. In order to fully investigate fuel cell performance, the behavior must be known under a wide range of operational conditions. Furthermore, in order to compare results coming from different test teams, a set of procedures and parameters to evaluate single cell performance should be defined. The research group of the Fuel Cell Laboratory of the University of Perugia is conducting performance tests on single cells, focusing on defining test procedures to find effective parameters to be used to compare tests performed by different teams. This work demonstrates how the testing parameters developed by the team allow one to perform advanced control on test procedures, to understand test results, and to compare them with tests carried out under different operational conditions. The entire analysis is easily conducted by using a single parameter variation hyperspace approach. The experimental results obtained on single fuel cells are reported.

The Resistive Properties of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells With Stainless Steel Bipolar Plates

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuo-Jen Lee ◽  
Kung-Ting Yang ◽  
Yu-Ming Lee ◽  
Chi-Yuan Lee
Keyword(s):  
Stainless Steel ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Pure Oxygen ◽  
Bipolar Plates ◽  
Transfer Resistance ◽  
Treated Cell ◽  
Ohmic Resistance

In this research, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is employed to monitor the resistance of a fuel cell during operation with different operating conditions and different materials for the bipolar plates. The operating condition variables are cell humidity, pure oxygen or air as oxidizer, and current density. Three groups of single cells were tested: a graphite cell, a stainless steel cell (treated and original), and a thin, small, treated stainless steel cell. A treated cell here means using an electrochemical treatment to improve bipolar plate anticorrosion capability. From the results, the ohmic resistance of a fully humidified treated stainless steel fuel cell is 0.28 Ω cm2. Under the same operating conditions, the ohmic resistance of the graphite and the original fuel cell are each 0.1 Ω cm2 and that of the small treated cell is 0.3 Ω cm2. Cell humidity has a greater influence on resistance than does the choice of oxidizer; furthermore, resistance variation due to humidity effects is more serious with air support. From the above results, fuel cells fundamental phenomenon such as ohmic resistance, charge transfer resistance, and mass transport resistance under different operating conditions could be evaluated.

Experimental Results of a PEM System Operated on Hydrogen and Reformate

2008 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Minutillo ◽  
E. Jannelli ◽  
F. Tunzio
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Natural Gas ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Cell Performance ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Fuel Cell Performance

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell generator operating for residential applications. The fuel cell performance has been evaluated using the test bed of the University of Cassino. The experimental activity has been focused to evaluate the performance in different operating conditions: stack temperature, feeding mode, and fuel composition. In order to use PEM fuel cell technology on a large scale, for an electric power distributed generation, it could be necessary to feed fuel cells with conventional fuel, such as natural gas, to generate hydrogen in situ because currently the infrastructure for the distribution of hydrogen is almost nonexistent. Therefore, the fuel cell performance has been evaluated both using pure hydrogen and reformate gas produced by a natural gas reforming system.

Theoretical Analysis on the Autothermal Reforming Process of Ethanol as Fuel for a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell System

2006 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 468-473 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alessandra Perna
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Autothermal Reforming ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Hydrogen Yield ◽  
Fuel Cell System ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The purpose of this work is to investigate, by a thermodynamic analysis, the effects of the process variables on the performance of an autothermal reforming (ATR)-based fuel processor, operating on ethanol as fuel, integrated into an overall proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell system. This analysis has been carried out finding the better operating conditions to maximize hydrogen yield and to minimize CO carbon monoxide production. In order to evaluate the overall efficiency of the system, PEM fuel cell operations have been analyzed by an available parametric model.

scholarly journals Fuel Cell designing with optimal high speed air compressor

2021 ◽  
pp. 29-38
Author(s):  
Nabeel Ahsan ◽  
Mahrukh Mehmood ◽  
Asad A. Zaidi
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell System ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Air Compressor ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Input Parameters ◽  
Turbo Compressor

This paper discusses different air management technologies for fuel cell systems. Two different types of compressors are analyzed for Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC). Some important criteria are analyzed thoroughly for the selection of turbo compressor among different types of compressors illustrated with the help of matrix representations. The impacts of various input parameters for Fuel Cell (FC) are also explained thoroughly. Later the numerical modeling of an automobile fuel cell system using a high speed turbo-compressor for air supply is explained. The numerical model incorporates the important input parameters related with air and hydrogen. It also performed energy and mass balances across different components such as pump, fan, heat-exchanger, air compressor and also keeps in consideration the pressure drop across the flow pipes and various mechanical parts. The model is solved to obtain the characteristics of the FC system at different operating conditions. Therefore, it can be concluded that the high speed turbo compressor with a turbo-expander can have significant effects on the overall system power and efficiency.

scholarly journals Electrochemical Performance Improvement of the Catalyst of the Methanol Micro-Fuel Cell Using Carbon Nanotubes

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohammad Kazemi Nasrabadi ◽  
Amir Ebrahimi-Moghadam ◽  
Mohammad Hosein Ahmadi ◽  
Ravinder Kumar ◽  
Narjes Nabipour
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Nanotubes ◽  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Carbon Black ◽  
Oxidation Reaction ◽  
High Energy ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
High Energy Density ◽  
Methanol Oxidation Reaction

Due to low working temperature, high energy density and low pollution, proton exchange fuel cells have been investigated under different operating conditions in different applications. Using platinum catalysts in methanol fuel cells leads to increasing the cost of this kind of fuel cell which is considered as a barrier to the commercialism of this technology. For this reason, a lot of efforts have been made to reduce the loading of the catalyst required on different supports. In this study, carbon black (CB) and carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been used as catalyst supports of the fuel cell as well as using the double-metal combination of platinum-ruthenium (PtRu) as anode electrode catalyst and platinum (Pt) as cathode electrode catalyst. The performance of these two types of electro-catalyst in the oxidation reaction of methanol has been compared based on electrochemical tests. Results showed that the carbon nanotubes increase the performance of the micro-fuel cell by 37% at maximum power density, compared to the carbon black. Based on thee-electrode tests of chronoamperometry and voltammetry, it was found that the oxidation onset potential of methanol for CNT has been around 20% less than CB, leading to the kinetic improvement of the oxidation reaction. The current density of methanol oxidation reaction increased up to 62% in CNT sample compared to CB supported one, therefore the active electrochemical surface area of the catalyst has been increased up to 90% by using CNT compared to CB which shows the significant rise of the electrocatalytic activity in CNT supported catalyst. Moreover, the resistance of the CNT supported sample to poisonous intermediate species has been found 3% more than CB supported one. According to the chronoamperometry test results, it was concluded that the performance and sustainability of the CNT electro-catalyst show remarkable improvement compared to CB electro-catalyst in the long term.

scholarly journals Recent Progress in the Development of Aromatic Polymer-Based Proton Exchange Membranes for Fuel Cell Applications

Polymers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Raja Rafidah R. S. ◽  
Rashmi W. ◽  
Khalid M. ◽  
Wong W. Y. ◽  
Priyanka J.
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Conductivity ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Proton Exchange Membranes ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Polymer Chains ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Aryl Ether

Proton exchange membranes (PEMs) play a pivotal role in fuel cells; conducting protons from the anode to the cathode within the cell’s membrane electrode assembles (MEA) separates the reactant fuels and prevents electrons from passing through. High proton conductivity is the most important characteristic of the PEM, as this contributes to the performance and efficiency of the fuel cell. However, it is also important to take into account the membrane’s durability to ensure that it canmaintain itsperformance under the actual fuel cell’s operating conditions and serve a long lifetime. The current state-of-the-art Nafion membranes are limited due to their high cost, loss of conductivity at elevated temperatures due to dehydration, and fuel crossover. Alternatives to Nafion have become a well-researched topic in recent years. Aromatic-based membranes where the polymer chains are linked together by aromatic rings, alongside varying numbers of ether, ketone, or sulfone functionalities, imide, or benzimidazoles in their structures, are one of the alternatives that show great potential as PEMs due totheir electrochemical, mechanical, and thermal strengths. Membranes based on these polymers, such as poly(aryl ether ketones) (PAEKs) and polyimides (PIs), however, lack a sufficient level of proton conductivity and durability to be practical for use in fuel cells. Therefore, membrane modifications are necessary to overcome their drawbacks. This paper reviews the challenges associated with different types of aromatic-based PEMs, plus the recent approaches that have been adopted to enhance their properties and performance.

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