MODELING OF PEM FUEL CELLS WITH FINITE-THICKNESS CATALYSTS

2009 ◽  
Vol 23 (03) ◽  
pp. 537-540 ◽  
Author(s):  
JIANG HUI YIN ◽  
JUN CAO
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Finite Thickness ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A general proton exchange membrane fuel cell model including two finite-thickness catalysts is developed in this study, allowing for an in-depth understanding of the effects of the two key electrochemical reactions taking place in the two catalysts. The model is used to predict the performances of fuel cells employing two different flow channel designs, providing insights for fuel cell design and performance optimization.

Component Failure Analysis From the U.S. Army ERDC-CERL Residential Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Demonstration

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott A. Kenner ◽  
Nicholas M. Josefik ◽  
Scott M. Lux ◽  
James L. Knight ◽  
Melissa K. White ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Fuel Cell Stack ◽  
The Mean ◽  
Exchange Membrane ◽  
Mean Time ◽  
The U.S

Background: The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) continues to manage The Department of Defense (DoD) Residential Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) Fuel Cell Demonstration Project. This project was funded by the United States Congress for fiscal years 2001 through 2004. A fleet of 91 residential-scale PEM fuel cells, ranging in size from 1 to 5 kW, has been demonstrated at various U.S. DoD facilities around the world. Approach: The performance of the fuel cells has been monitored over a 12-month field demonstration period. A detailed analysis has been performed cataloging the component failures, investigating the mean time of the failures, and the mean time between failures. A discussion of the lifespan and failure modes of selected fuel cell components, based on component type, age, and usage will be provided. This analysis also addresses fuel cell stack life for both primary and back-up power systems. Several fuels were used throughout the demonstration, including natural gas, propane, and hydrogen. A distinction will be made on any variances in performance based on the input fuel stock. Summary: This analysis will provide an overview of the ERDC-CERL PEM demonstration fuel cell applications and the corresponding data from the field demonstrations. Special emphasis will be placed on the components, fuel cell stack life, and input fuel characteristics of the systems demonstrated.

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.

Composition and Performance Optimization of Catalyst Layer in a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Curtis Marr ◽  
Xianguo Li
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Current Density ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Platinum Catalyst ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Mass Transport Process ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The composition and performance optimisation of cathode catalyst platinum and catalyst layer structure in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell has been investigated by including both electrochemical reaction and mass transport process. It is found that electrochemical reactions occur in a thin layer within a few micrometers thick, indicating ineffective catalyst utilization for the present catalyst layer design. The effective use of platinum catalyst decreases with increasing current density, hence lower loadings of platinum are feasible for higher current densities of practical interest without adverse effect on cell performance. The optimal void fraction for the catalyst layer is about 60% and fairly independent of current density, and a 40% supported platinum catalyst yields the best performance amongst various supported catalysts investigated. An optimal amount of membrane content in the void region of the catalyst layer exists for minimum cathode voltage losses due to competition between proton migration through the membrane and oxygen transfer in the void region. The present results will be useful for practical fuel cell designs.

Thermodynamic Analysis of the Performance of an Irreversible PEMFC

2018 ◽  
Vol 388 ◽  
pp. 350-360 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chang Jie Li ◽  
Ye Liu ◽  
Zhe Shu Ma
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Operating Pressure ◽  
Controllable Factors ◽  
Temperature Operating ◽  
Exchange Membrane

An irreversible model of proton exchange membrane fuel cells working at steady-state is established, in which the irreversibility resulting from overpotentials, internal currents and leakage currents are taken into account．In this paper, the irreversibility of fuel cell is expounded mainly from electrochemistry. The general performance characteristic curves are generated including output voltage, output power and output efficiency. In addition, the irreversibility of a class of PEMFC is studied by changing the operating conditions (controllable factors) of the fuel cell, including effect of operating temperature, operating pressure and leakage current. The results provide a theoretical basis for both the operation and optimal design of real PEM fuel cells．

Simulation Study on the Influence Factors of Generated Output of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell

2011 ◽  
Vol 121-126 ◽  
pp. 2887-2891
Author(s):  
Li Ping Fan
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Output Power ◽  
Performance Optimization ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Influence Factors ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Valuable Insight ◽  
Power Simulation ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells have been receiving more and more attention these recent years. It is expected to improve the output power of the fuel cell, so it is important to understand what are the relevant factors affecting the output power. Simulation can provide valuable insight and guidance for design, performance optimization, and cost reduction of fuel cells. Some factors which affect the generated output of proton exchange membrane fuel cell are study in this paper, and simulation results are shown and analyzed. It helps to understand the mechanism of the fuel cell and lay a good foundation for improving the output power.

Design and Experimental Characterization of a High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Radu ◽  
Nicola Zuliani ◽  
Rodolfo Taccani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Pure Hydrogen ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells based on polybenzimidazole (PBI) polymers and phosphoric acid can be operated at temperature between 120 °C and 180 °C. Reactant humidification is not required and CO content up to 1% in the fuel can be tolerated, only marginally affecting performance. This is what makes high-temperature PEM (HTPEM) fuel cells very attractive, as low quality reformed hydrogen can be used and water management problems are avoided. From an experimental point of view, the major research effort up to now was dedicated to the development and study of high-temperature membranes, especially to development of acid-doped PBI type membranes. Some studies were dedicated to the experimental analysis of single cells and only very few to the development and characterization of high-temperature stacks. This work aims to provide more experimental data regarding high-temperature fuel cell stacks, operated with hydrogen but also with different types of reformates. The main design features and the performance curves obtained with a three-cell air-cooled stack are presented. The stack was tested on a broad temperature range, between 120 and 180 °C, with pure hydrogen and gas mixtures containing up to 2% of CO, simulating the output of a typical methanol reformer. With pure hydrogen, at 180 °C, the considered stack is able to deliver electrical power of 31 W at 1.8 V. With a mixture containing 2% of carbon monoxide, in the same conditions, the performance drops to 24 W. The tests demonstrated that the performance loss caused by operation with reformates, can be partially compensated by a higher stack temperature.

scholarly journals On the Existence of a Weak Solution of a Half-Cell Model for PEM Fuel Cells

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-16 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuh-Jye Chern ◽  
Po-Chun Huang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Cell Model ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Half Cell ◽  
Existence Of A Solution ◽  
Cathode Catalyst Layer ◽  
Exchange Membrane

A nonlinear boundary value problem (BVP) from the modelling of the transport phenomena in the cathode catalyst layer of a one-dimensional half-cell single-phase model for proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, derived from the 3D model of Zhou and Liu (2000, 2001), is studied. It is a BVP for a system of three coupled ordinary differential equations of second order. Schauder's fixed point theorem is applied to show the existence of a solution in the Sobolev space .

scholarly journals Optimal Estimation of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Parameter Based on Coyote Optimization Algorithm

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (5) ◽  
pp. 2052
Author(s):  
Amlak Abaza ◽  
Ragab A. El-Sehiemy ◽  
Karar Mahmoud ◽  
Matti Lehtonen ◽  
Mohamed M. F. Darwish
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Optimization Algorithm ◽  
Distribution Systems ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Pem Fuel Cell ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Exchange Membrane

In recent years, the penetration of fuel cells in distribution systems is significantly increased worldwide. The fuel cell is considered an electrochemical energy conversion component. It has the ability to convert chemical to electrical energies as well as heat. The proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell uses hydrogen and oxygen as fuel. It is a low-temperature type that uses a noble metal catalyst, such as platinum, at reaction sites. The optimal modeling of PEM fuel cells improves the cell performance in different applications of the smart microgrid. Extracting the optimal parameters of the model can be achieved using an efficient optimization technique. In this line, this paper proposes a novel swarm-based algorithm called coyote optimization algorithm (COA) for finding the optimal parameter of PEM fuel cell as well as PEM stack. The sum of square deviation between measured voltages and the optimal estimated voltages obtained from the COA algorithm is minimized. Two practical PEM fuel cells including 250 W stack and Ned Stack PS6 are modeled to validate the capability of the proposed algorithm under different operating conditions. The effectiveness of the proposed COA is demonstrated through the comparison with four optimizers considering the same conditions. The final estimated results and statistical analysis show a significant accuracy of the proposed method. These results emphasize the ability of COA to estimate the parameters of the PEM fuel cell model more precisely.

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