Impact of separator thickness on relationship between temperature distribution and mass & current density distribution in single HT-PEMFC
Vol 6, Issue 2, 2023
VIEWS - 63 (Abstract) 15 (PDF)
Abstract
Considering the application of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), the separator thickness plays a significant role to determine the weight, the volume and the costs of the PEMFC. In addition, thermal management, i.e., temperature distribution is also important for the PEMFC system to obtain higher performance. However, there were few reports investigating the relation between the temperature profile and the power generation characteristics e.g., current density distribution of PEMFC operated at higher temperature (HT-PEMFC). This paper aims to study the impact of separator thickness on the temperature profile and the current density profile of HT-PEMFC. The impact of separator thickness on the gases i.e., H2, O2 profile of HT-PEMFC numerically was also studied using CFD software COMSOL Multiphysics in the paper. In the study, the operating temperature and the relative humidity (RH) of supply gas were varied with the separator thickness of 2.0 mm, 1.5 mm and 1.0 mm, respectively. The study revealed that the optimum thickness was 2.0 mm to realize higher power generation of HT-PEMFC. The heat capacity of the separator thickness of 2.0 mm was the biggest among the separators investigated in this study, resulting that the dry up of PEM and catalyst layer was lower compared to the thinner separator thickness. It was also clarified the effects of separator thickness of profile gases, e.g., O2, H2O, and current density profile became larger under the higher temperature and the lower RH conditions.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
1. New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO). Available online: http://www.nedo.go.jp/cotent/100871973 (accessed on 16 January 2024).
2. Zhang G, Kandlikar SG. A critical review of cooling techniques in proton exchange membrane fuel cell stacks. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2012; 37(3): 2412-2429. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.11.010
3. Agbossou K, Kolhe M, Hamelin J, et al. Performance of a Stand-Alone Renewable Energy System Based on Energy Storage as Hydrogen. IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion. 2004; 19(3): 633-640. doi: 10.1109/tec.2004.827719
4. Zhang J, Zhang C, Hao D, et al. 3D non-isothermal dynamic simulation of high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell in the start-up process. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2021; 46(2): 2577-2593. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.10.116
5. Li Q, He R, Jensen JO, et al. Approaches and Recent Development of Polymer Electrolyte Membranes for Fuel Cells Operating above 100 °C. Chemistry of Materials. 2003; 15(26): 4896-4915. doi: 10.1021/cm0310519
6. Lee CY, Weng FB, Kuo YW, et al. In-Situ Measurement of High-Temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Stack Using Flexible Five-in-One Micro-Sensor. Sensors. 2016; 16(10): 1731. doi: 10.3390/s16101731
7. Budak Y, Devrim Y. Micro-cogeneration application of a high-temperature PEM fuel cell stack operated with polybenzimidazole based membranes. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2020; 45(60): 35198-35207. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.11.173
8. Nanadegani FS, Lay EN, Sunden B. Computational anlysis of the impact of a micro porous layer (MPL) on the characteristics of a high temperature of PEMFC. Electrochimica Acta. 2020; 333. doi: 10.1016/j.electacta.2019.133552
9. Nishimura A, Okado T, Kojima Y, et al. Impact of MPL on Temperature Distribution in Single Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell with Various Thicknesses of Polymer Electrolyte Membrane. Energies. 2020; 13(10): 2499. doi: 10.3390/en13102499
10. Nishimura A, Yamamoto K, Okado T, et al. Impact analysis of MPL and PEM thickness on temperature distribution within PEFC operating at relatively higher temperature. Energy. 2020; 205: 117875. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117875
11. Nishimura A, Toyoda K, Kojima Y, et al. Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K. Energies. 2021; 14(24): 8256. doi: 10.3390/en14248256
12. Nishimura A, Mishima D, Toyoda K, et al. Numerical Simulation on Effect of Separator Thickness on Coupling Phenomena in Single Cell of PEFC under Higher Temperature Operation Condition at 363 K and 373 K. Energies. 2023; 16(2): 606. doi: 10.3390/en16020606
13. Nishimura A, Kojima Y, Ito S, et al. Impacts of Separator Thickness on Temperature Distribution and Power Generation Characteristics of a Single PEMFC Operated at Higher Temperature of 363 and 373 K. Energies. 2022; 15(4): 1558. doi: 10.3390/en15041558
14. Agarwal H, Thosar AU, Bhat SD, et al. Interdigitated flow field impact on mass transport and electrochemical reaction in high-temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources. 2022; 532: 231319. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2022.231319
15. Cai L, Zhang J, Zhang C, et al. Numerical investigation of enhanced mass transfer flow field on performance improvement of high‐temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell. Fuel Cells. 2023; 23(3): 251-263. doi: 10.1002/fuce.202200131
16. Hazar H, Yilmaz M, Sevinc H. A comparative analysis of a novel flow field pattern with different channel size configurations. Fuel. 2022; 319: 123867. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123867
17. Zuo Q, Li Q, Chen W, et al. Optimization of blocked flow field performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell with auxiliary channels. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2022; 47(94): 39943-39960. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.09.143
18. Yan F, Pei X, Yao J. Numerical simulation of performance improvement of PEMFC by four-serpentine wave flow field. Ionics. 2022; 29(2): 695-709. doi: 10.1007/s11581-022-04849-0
19. Yu D, Yu S. Analysis of Flow Variation in a Straight Channel with Baffled Obstacles on a Bipolar Plate in a Proton-Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell. International Journal of Automotive Technology. 2023; 24(3): 759-771. doi: 10.1007/s12239-023-0063-0
20. Yu X, Luo X, Tu Z. Development of a compact high-power density air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultrathin steel bipolar plates. Energy. 2023; 270: 126936. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2023.126936
21. Tseng CJ, Heush YJ, Chiang CJ, et al. Application of metal foams to high temperature PEM fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2016; 41(36): 16196-16204. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.06.149
22. Fly A, Meyer Q, Whiteley M, et al. X-ray tomography and modelling study on the mechanical behaviour and performance of metal foam flow-fields for polymer electrolyte fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2019; 44(14): 7583-7595. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2019.01.206
23. Kahraman H, Orhan MF. Flow field bipolar plates in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell: Analysis & modeling. Energy Conversion and Management. 2017; 133: 363-384. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2016.10.053
24. Han Y, Zhuge W, Peng J, et al. A novel heat pipe bipolar plate for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Energy Conversion and Management. 2023; 284: 116945. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2023.116945
25. Zhang J, Xie Z, Zhang J, et al. High temperature PEM fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources. 2006; 160(2): 872-891. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.05.034
26. Kanchan BK, Randive P, Pati S. Implications of non-uniform porosity distribution in gas diffusion layer on the performance of a high temperature PEM fuel cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2021; 46(35): 18571-18588. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.03.010
27. Das SK, Gibson HA. Three dimensional multi-physics modeling and simulation for assessment of mass transport impact on the performance of a high temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources. 2021; 499: 229844. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2021.229844
28. Panesi ARQ, Silva RP, Cunha EF, et al. Three-dimensional CFD modeling of H2/O2 HT-PEMFC based on H3PO4-doped PBI membranes. Ionics. 2021; 27(8): 3461-3475. doi: 10.1007/s11581-021-04107-9
29. Penga Ž, Tolj I, Barbir F. Computational fluid dynamics study of PEM fuel cell performance for isothermal and non-uniform temperature boundary conditions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2016; 41(39): 17585-17594. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.07.092
30. Cooper NJ, Santamaria AD, Becton MK, et al. Neutron radiography measurements of in-situ PEMFC liquid water saturation in 2D & 3D morphology gas diffusion layers. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2017; 42(25): 16269-16278. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.05.105
31. The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers, JSME Heat Transfer Handbook, 1st ed. Maruzen; 1993. p. 387.
32. Freunberger SA, Reum M, Evertz J, et al. Measuring the Current Distribution in PEFCs with Sub-Millimeter Resolution. Journal of The Electrochemical Society. 2006; 153(11): A2158. doi: 10.1149/1.2345591
33. Xia L, Ni M, He Q, et al. Optimization of gas diffusion layer in high temperature PEMFC with the focuses on thickness and porosity. Applied Energy. 2021; 300: 117357. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117357
34. TORAY. Available online: http://www.torayca.com/en/lineup/composites/com_009_01.html (accessed on 16 January 2024).
35. Kang K, Ju H. Numerical modeling and analysis of micro-porous layer effects in polymer electrolyte fuel cells. Journal of Power Sources. 2009; 194(2): 763-773. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.05.046
36. Bit Tech. Product Catalog, Bit Tech., Gosyogawara. 2008; 1.
37. Reid RC, Prausnitz JM, Poling BE. The properties of gases and liquids, 1st ed. McGraw-Hill; 1987. p. 591.
38. Merck. Available online: http://www.sigmaaldrich.com/japan/materialscience/alternative/nafion.html (accessed on 16 January 2024).
39. Senn SM, Poulikakos D. Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells with Porous Materials as Fluid Distributors and Comparisons with Traditional Channeled Systems. Journal of Heat Transfer. 2004; 126(3): 410-418. doi: 10.1115/1.1738424
40. Takayama T. Numerical simulation of transient internal states of PEFC cell and stack considering control of anode system. Res. Rep. Mizuho Res. Technol. 2018; 9: 1-14.
41. Rostami L, Mohamad Gholy Nejad P, Vatani A. A numerical investigation of serpentine flow channel with different bend sizes in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Energy. 2016; 97: 400-410. doi: 10.1016/j.energy.2015.10.132
42. Huang Y, Xiao X, Kang H, et al. Thermal management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A critical review of heat transfer mechanisms, cooling approaches, and advanced cooling techniques analysis. Energy Conversion and Management. 2022; 254: 115221. doi.: 10.1016/j.eneconman.2022.115221
43. Nishimura A, Toyoda K, Mishima D, et al. Numerical Analysis on Impact of Thickness of PEM and GDL with and without MPL on Coupling Phenomena in PEFC Operated at Higher Temperature Such as 363 K and 373 K. Energies. 2022; 15(16): 5936. doi: 10.3390/en15165936
44. Zhang S, Qu Z, Xu H, et al. A numerical study on the performance of PEMFC with wedge-shaped fins in the cathode channel. Int. J. Hydrogen Energy. 2021; 46: 27700-2778.
45. Chen H, Guo H, Ye F, et al. Improving two-phase mass transportation under Non-Darcy flow effect in orientated-type flow channels of proton exchange membrane fuel cells. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2021; 46(41): 21600-21618. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2021.04.004
46. Xing L, Das PK, Song X, et al. Numerical analysis of the optimum membrane/ionomer water content of PEMFCs: The interaction of Nafion® ionomer content and cathode relative humidity. Applied Energy. 2015; 138: 242-257. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.10.011
47. Nishimura A, Toyoda K, Mishima D, et al. Numerical Analysis on Temperature Distribution in a Single Cell of PEFC Operated at Higher Temperature by1D Heat Transfer Model and 3D Multi-Physics Simulation Model. Energy and Power Engineering. 2023; 15(05): 205-227. doi: 10.4236/epe.2023.155010
48. Salomov UR, Chiavazzo E, Fasano M, et al. Pore- and macro-scale simulations of high temperature proton exchange fuel cells—HTPEMFC—and possible strategies for enhancing durability. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 2017; 42(43): 26730-26743. doi: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2017.09.011
49. Quan P, Lai MC. Numerical study of water management in the air flow channel of a PEM fuel cell cathode. Journal of Power Sources. 2007; 164(1): 222-237. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2006.09.110
50. Jiao K, Park J, Li X. Experimental investigations on liquid water removal from the gas diffusion layer by reactant flow in a PEM fuel cell. Applied Energy. 2010; 87(9): 2770-2777. doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2009.04.041
51. Zhang Y, He S, Jiang X, et al. 3D multi-phase simulation of metal bipolar plate proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with cooling flow field. Energy Conversion and Management. 2022; 273: 116419. doi: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.116419
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/tse.v6i2.4424
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
License URL: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
This site is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.