Interface model of PEM fuel cell membrane steady-state behavior

Abstract

Modeling works which simulate the proton-exchange membrane fuel cell with the computational fluid dynamics approach involve the simultaneous solution of multiple, interconnected physics equations for fluid flows, heat transport, electrochemical reactions, and both protonic and electronic conduction. Modeling efforts vary by how they treat the physics within and adjacent to the membrane-electrode assembly (MEA). Certain approaches treat the MEA not as part of the computational domain, but rather an interface connecting the anode and cathode computational domains. These approaches may lack the ability to consistently model catalyst layer losses and MEA ohmic resistance. This work presents an upgraded interface formulation where coupled water, heat, and current transport behaviors of the MEA are modeled analytically. Improving upon the previous work, catalyst layer losses can now be modeled accurately without ad-hoc selection of model kinetic parameters. Key to the formulation is the incorporation of water absorption/desorption resistances. The interface model is developed with the consideration of only thru-plane variation, based upon varied fundamental research into each of the relevant physics. The model is validated against differential cell data with high-and low-humidity reactants. The agreement is very good in each case.

Electrocatalyst Performance at the Gas/Electrolyte Interface under High-Mass-Transport Conditions: Optimization of the “Floating Electrode” Method

“…A lot of research including MEA experiments, modeling, and simulations have focused on trying to understand the nature of this limitation over the past decade. , Four different effects have been posited to explain this limitation: An effect of the electrocatalysis of the ORR and the absence of an exponential increase in the electrochemical rate of reaction on oxide-free catalyst due to the presence of oxygen reduction intermediates on the surface. , A local mass transport resistance R O 2 Pt , limiting access of oxygen to the catalyst surface. , Anion adsorption from sulfonate groups, leading to perturbation of the number of free sites for the ORR to occur on Proton transport limitation in the ORR, which cannot be the case in the FE as the HER occurs at minimal overpotential. …”

“…Proton transport limitation in the ORR, which cannot be the case in the FE as the HER occurs at minimal overpotential.…”

“…3,57 (c) Anion adsorption from sulfonate groups, leading to perturbation of the number of free sites for the ORR to occur on. 55 (d) Proton transport limitation in the ORR, 58 which cannot be the case in the FE as the HER occurs at minimal overpotential.…”

Thermal Control for Electric Vehicle Based on the Multistack Fuel Cells

“…The operating temperature should be between and , supplying power between and with an efficiency of 60%, the solid polymer membrane is resistant to vibrations, and the life span of the FCs is 500–1000 cycles. [ 3,16–18 ] The supercapacitor (SC) is an electrical component consisting of two parallel conducting plates separated by a dielectric medium with specific energy of , specific power of , efficiency . [ 19 ] The battery is a device that stores energy in the form of electrical energy by taking advantage of the electrochemical process reversibility to recover it, with specific energy of , specific power of .…”

“…Usually, there are three different combinations that are possible including FC—Battery, FC—SC, and FC—SC—Battery. [ 1,3,4 ] This family of vehicles replaces fossil fuels by hydrogen because it is not a polluting element, and the specific energy of hydrogen is , whereas that diesel and gasoline is [ 5,6 ] That said, hydrogen does not exist naturally and thus it should be obtained from primary elements such as water, biomass, natural gas, coal, and other sources. [ 7–15 ] The proton exchange membrane (PEM) FC is a device that transforms chemical energy into electrical energy thanks to a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen and the byproducts are water and heat energy.…”