Naslov
Coolant Induced Variable Temperature Flow Field for PEM Fuel Cells: Experimental Validation of the Developed CFD Model

Autori
Penga, Željko ; Pivac, Ivan ; Barbir, Frano

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Proc. 15th Symposium on Modeling and Experimental Validation of Electrochemical Energy Devices (ModVal 2018) / Berg, Erik J. ; Büchi, Felix N. ; Eller, Jens ; Gubler, Lorenz - Villigen : Electrochemistry Laboratory Paul Scherrer Institut, 2018, 147-148

Skup
15th Symposium on Modeling and Experimental Validation of Electrochemical Energy Devices (ModVal 2018)

Mjesto i datum
Aarau, Švicarska, 12.04.2018. - 13.04.2018

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Poster

Vrsta recenzije
Međunarodna recenzija

Ključne riječi
variable temperature flow field ; internal humidification ; temperature distribution ; current density distribution ; computational fluid dynamics

Sažetak
Performance of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells depends on water and heat management of the cell. High efficiency is only achieved if the proton conductive membrane is characterized by high membrane water content, which can be accomplished only if the relative humidity of the reactants is close to 100% along the anode and cathode side of the cell. Commercial PEM fuel cell stacks are operated in isothermal mode, i.e. the temperature gradient along the active area of the cell is minimized by relatively high mass flow rate of the coolant, therefore they require the addition of external humidifiers in order to achieve high efficiency. However, the implementation of external humidifiers results in occurrence of higher quantities of liquid water under transient operation and at higher currents in general, hindering the performance and limiting the operating range of the cell. Newly developed concept presented in previous studies termed ”variable temperature flow field” (VTFF) is capable of achieving high efficiency of the cell without the requirement for external humidification. The concept is based on prescribing and maintaining the temperature profile along the cell in close proximity to the water vapor saturation profile extracted from Mollier’s h-x chart. The desired temperature profile is established and maintained via coolant mass flow rate control. This work outlines the results of the research through interactive combination of computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis and experimental verification of the variable temperature flow field concept for 2 different MEAs at 3 different current densities.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kemijsko inženjerstvo, Strojarstvo

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