scholarly journals An Investigation of the Compressive Behavior of Polymer Electrode Membrane Fuel Cell’s Gas Diffusion Layers under Different Temperatures

Polymers ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
pp. 971 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yanqin Chen ◽  
Chao Jiang ◽  
Chongdu Cho
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Different Temperatures ◽  
Electrode Membrane

In this paper, a commercial gas diffusion layer is used, to quantitatively study the correlation between its compressive characteristics and its operating temperature. In polymer electrode membrane fuel cells, the gas diffusion layer plays a vital role in the membrane electrode assembly, over a wide range of operating temperatures. Therefore, understanding the thermo-mechanical performance of gas diffusion layers is crucial to design fuel cells. In this research, a series of compressive tests were conducted on a commercial gas diffusion layer, at three different temperatures. Additionally, a microscopical investigation was carried out with the help of a scanning electron microscope, to study the evolution and development of the microstructural damages in the gas diffusion layers which is caused by the thermo-mechanical load. From the obtained results, it could be concluded that the compressive stiffness of the commercial gas diffusion layer depends, to a great extent, on its operational temperature.

An ultra-thin, flexible, low-cost and scalable gas diffusion layer composed of carbon nanotubes for high-performance fuel cells

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 5986-5994 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jun Wei ◽  
Fandi Ning ◽  
Chuang Bai ◽  
Ting Zhang ◽  
Guanbin Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Essential Components

A gas diffusion layer (GDL) is one of the essential components of a membrane electrode assembly (MEA), which is the core of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).

Influence of Water Behavior in the Gas Diffusion Layer on the Performance of PEMFC

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gu-Gon Park ◽  
Young-Jun Sohn ◽  
Sung-Dae Yim ◽  
Tae-Hyun Yang ◽  
Young-Gi Yoon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Driving Forces ◽  
Single Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Operation Conditions ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Water Transportation ◽  
Water Behavior

The affect of water behavior on the performance of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) was investigated experimentally. To understand the water transportation phenomena systematically, the gas diffusion layers were divided into two parts: the gas diffusion medium (GDM) and the micro-layer (ML). In this work, different Teflon (PTFE) contents in the GDM were intensively investigated under various single cell operation conditions. Current-Voltage (I-V) performance curves of single cells were compared and analyzed with respect to water transportation in the GDM. Through the results of this work, the dominant driving forces of the water transportation in the gas diffusion layer were determined which aids in designing the gas diffusion layers.

Effect of Compression on the Water Management of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell With Different Gas Diffusion Layers

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhongying Shi ◽  
Xia Wang ◽  
Laila Guessous
Keyword(s):  
Water Management ◽  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Exchange Membrane

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays an important role in maintaining suitable water management in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The properties of the gas diffusion layer, such as its porosity, permeability, wettability, and thickness, are affected by the shoulders of the bipolar plates due to the compression applied in the assembly process. Compression therefore influences the water management inside fuel cells. A two-phase fuel cell model was used to study the water management problem in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with interdigitated flow channels. The effect of the compression on the fuel cell performance was numerically investigated for a variety of GDL parameters. This paper focuses on studying the water management of fuel cells under compression for various types of gas diffusion layers. First, the deformation of a gas diffusion layer due to compression applied from the shoulders of the bipolar plates was modeled as a plain-strain problem and was determined using finite element analysis (FEA). The porosity and the permeability of the gas diffusion layer were then recalculated based on the deformation results. Next, the deformed domain from the FEA model was coupled with a fuel cell model, and the effects of the compression during the assembly process on the water management and fuel cell performance were studied for gas diffusion layers with different thicknesses, porosities, and compressive moduli. It was found that the deformation of the GDL results in a low oxygen concentration at the reaction site. The saturation level of liquid water increases along the flow direction, and is higher when the compression effect is considered in the simulation.

scholarly journals Inhomogeneous Distribution of Polytetrafluorethylene in Gas Diffusion Layers of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells

2021 ◽  
Vol 136 (3) ◽  
pp. 843-862
Author(s):  
Dieter Froning ◽  
Uwe Reimer ◽  
Werner Lehnert
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Liquid Water ◽  
Catalyst Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells ◽  
Inhomogeneous Distribution ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers

AbstractPolymer electrolyte fuel cells require gas diffusion layers that can efficiently distribute the feeding gases from the channel structure to the catalyst layer on both sides of the membrane. On the cathode side, these layers must also allow the transport of liquid product water in a counter flow direction from the catalyst layer to the air channels where it can be blown away by the air flow. In this study, two-phase transport in the fibrous structures of a gas diffusion layer was simulated using the lattice Boltzmann method. Liquid water transport is affected by the hydrophilic treatment of the fibers. Following the assumption that polytetrafluorethylene is preferably concentrated at the crossings of fibers, the impact of its spatial distribution is analyzed. Both homogeneous and inhomogeneous distribution is investigated. The concentration of polytetrafluorethylene in the upstream region is of advantage for the fast transport of liquid water through the gas diffusion layer. Special attention is given to the topmost fiber layer. Moreover, polytetrafluorethylene covering the fibers leads to large contact angles.

scholarly journals Improvement in physical properties of single-layer gas diffusion layers using graphene for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

RSC Advances ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (40) ◽  
pp. 22506-22514 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hung-Fan Lee ◽  
Jing-Yue Chang ◽  
Yui Whei Chen-Yang
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Physical Properties ◽  
Diffusion Layer ◽  
Proton Exchange Membrane ◽  
Single Layer ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Proton Exchange ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Exchange Membrane

Gas diffusion layer (GDL) is an important component related to the efficiency of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs).

Stack Compression of PEM Fuel Cells

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeh-Hung Lai ◽  
Daniel P. Miller ◽  
Chunxin Ji ◽  
Thomas A. Trabold
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Membrane Electrode Assembly ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Membrane Electrode ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Dimensional Changes ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Electrolyte Membranes

The effect of dimensional changes of fuel cell components from temperature and hydration cycles on the stack compression is investigated in this paper. Using a simple spring model including the membrane electrode assembly (MEA), gas diffusion layers (GDL), bipolar plates, seal gaskets, current collectors, insulation plates, end plates, and side plates, we find significant compression changes from 30% over-compression to 23% compression loss from both temperature and humidity changes. The wide range of variation in stack compression is attributed to the swelling behavior of polymer electrolyte membranes, the compression behavior of gas diffusion layers, and the design of stack assembly. This paper also reports the use of finite element method to investigate the compression of MEA and GDL over the channel area where MEA buckling from membrane swelling can result in separation of MEA and GDL. It is suggested that the compression over channels can be improved with higher transverse shear modulus in the GDL in addition to the use of narrower channels. In this paper, we will also discuss the challenges facing the fuel cell manufacturers and component suppliers on the needs for new materials with improved mechanical properties and better testing/modeling techniques to help achieving stable compression and better fuel cell stack designs.

Electrical Contact Resistance Between Gas Diffusion Layers and Bipolar Plates for Applications to PEM Fuel Cells

2004 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mishra ◽  
F. Yang ◽  
R. Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Contact Resistance ◽  
Electrical Contact ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Surface Geometry ◽  
Electrical Contact Resistance ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Wide Range

The electrical contact resistance between gas diffusion layers and bi-polar flow channel plates is one of the important factors contributing to the operational voltage loss in fuel cells. Effective analysis and design of fuel cells therefore need to account for the contact resistance in deriving the polarization curve for the cell. Despite its significance, relatively scant work is reported in the open literature on the measurement and modeling of the contact resistance in fuel cell systems, and the present work aims to fill this void. Experimental data are reported for the first time to show the effects of different gas diffusion layer materials and contact pressure on the electrical contact resistance. A fractal asperity based model is adopted to predict the contact resistance as a function of pressure, material properties, and surface geometry. Good agreement is observed between the data and the model predictions for a wide range of contacting pressures and materials.

Measurement and Prediction of Electrical Contact Resistance Between Gas Diffusion Layers and Bipolar Plate for Applications to PEM Fuel Cells

2004 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
V. Mishra ◽  
F. Yang ◽  
R. Pitchumani
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cells ◽  
Contact Resistance ◽  
Electrical Contact ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Gas Diffusion ◽  
Surface Geometry ◽  
Electrical Contact Resistance ◽  
Gas Diffusion Layers ◽  
Diffusion Layers ◽  
Wide Range

The electrical contact resistance between gas diffusion layers and bipolar flow channel plates is one of the important factors contributing to the operational voltage loss in polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Effective analysis and design of fuel cells therefore need to account for the contact resistance in deriving the polarization curve for the cell. Despite its significance, relatively scant work is reported in the open literature on the measurement and modeling of the contact resistance in fuel cell systems, and the present work aims to fill this void. Experimental data are reported for the first time to show the effects of different gas diffusion layer materials and contact pressure on the electrical contact resistance. A fractal asperity based model is adopted to predict the contact resistance as a function of pressure, material properties, and surface geometry. Good agreement is observed between the data and the model predictions for a wide range of contacting pressures and materials.

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