Investigation of the effect of micro-porous layer on PEM fuel cell cold start operation

Xie, Xu; Wang, Renfang; Jiao, Kui; Zhang, Guobin; Zhou, Jiaxun; Du, Qing

doi:10.1016/j.renene.2017.10.039

Cited by 69 publications

(17 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…As well known, the transport of liquid water in the GDL mainly depends on microstructures and hydrophobicity of pores [5]. Various approaches have been adopted to optimize or modify the porous structures of the GDL for efficient water removal, such as addition of microporous layer (MPL) [7][8][9][10], polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) treatment [11][12][13] and usage of metal porous materials [14,15]. Shan et al [9] experimentally investigated the performance of GDL with/without MPL at different humidification conditions via a segmented cell technique.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-phase flow and oxygen transport in the perforated gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Niu

Bao

et al. 2019

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

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Liquid water transport in perforated gas diffusion layers (GDLs) is numerically investigated using a threedimensional (3D) two-phase volume of fluid (VOF) model and a stochastic reconstruction model of GDL microstructures. Different perforation depths and diameters are investigated, in comparison with the GDL without perforation. It is found that perforation can considerably reduce the liquid water level inside a GDL. The perforation diameter (D = 100 lm) and the depth (H = 100 lm) show pronounced effect. In addition, two different perforation locations, i.e. the GDL center and the liquid water breakthrough point, are investigated. Results show that the latter perforation location works more efficiently. Moreover, the perforation perimeter wettability is studied, and it is found that a hydrophilic region around the perforation further reduces the water saturation. Finally, the oxygen transport in the partially-saturated GDL is studied using an oxygen diffusion model. Results indicate that perforation reduces the oxygen diffusion resistance in GDLs and improves the oxygen concentration at the GDL bottom up to 101% (D = 100 lm and H = 100 lm).

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Two-phase flow and oxygen transport in the perforated gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Niu

Bao

et al. 2019

International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer

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“…[38] These mechanical failures can induce operational failure mechanisms due to media starvation of the electrodes. [40] When cycling the MEA between À 40 and 0.5°C, water drains out of the membrane into the electrode layers. Consequently, water is freezing within the electrode layer causing increased porosity and decreased electrochemical active surface area (ECSA).…”

Section: Ex-situ Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As the main task of the MPL is water management, it determines if ice formation at the interfaces of the fuel cell layers (e. g. GDL/BPP) takes place. [40] One function of the MPL during freeze start is to keep water in a super-cooled state and thereby, prevent freezing of droplets within the fuel cell layers. As discussed, ice can be found in different layers of the cell, such as the flow fields, GDL, MPL and CL, as well as at the interfaces between those and the membrane.…”

Section: Ex-situ Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

et al. 2020

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The behavior of proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) strongly depends on the operational temperatures. In mobile applications, for instance in fuel cell electric vehicles, PEMFC stacks are often subjected to temperatures as low as −20 °C, especially during cold start periods, and to temperatures up to 120 °C during regular operation. Therefore, it is important to understand the impact of temperature on the performance and degradation of hydrogen fuel cells to ensure a stable system operation. To get a comprehensive understanding of the temperature effects in PEMFCs, this manuscript addresses and summarizes in‐ situ and ex‐ situ investigations of fuel cells operated at different temperatures. Initially, different measurement techniques for thermal monitoring are presented. Afterwards, the temperature effects related to the degradation and performance of main membrane electrode assembly components, namely gas diffusion layers, proton exchange membranes and catalyst layers, are analyzed.

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“…The effect of ionomer/carbon ratio on PEMFC cold start was investigated experimentally with theoretical water transport analysis by Xie et al 21 The results showed that the CL design had significant effect on the cold start performance. Xie et al 22 investigated the effect of MPL (micro porous layer) on PEMFC cold start experimentally with theoretical analysis as well. It was found that cathode MPL could promote the water back diffusion and hinder the ice formation on the CL surface at −10 C. Anode MPL contributed to reducing the blockage tendency at −15 C. For constant current startup, water electrolysis and carbon corrosion might occur which led to the voltage reversal when the cell could not achieve the desired current density.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mechanism analysis of the effect of different gas manifold positions on proton exchange membrane fuel cell cold start performance

et al. 2021

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The balanced distribution of water and heat inside the cell during the startup step is the key to the successful cold start of proton exchange membrane fuel cell. The cold start experiments prove that due to the influence on the internal water and heat distribution, different gas manifold positions have a significant effect on cold start performance. When cold start is at −10 C, the generated water in the cathode side mostly exists in the form of supercooled water. This allows all −10 C cases successfully reach the temperature above the freezing point. When the H 2 and air inlet manifolds are arranged on the different side, sudden current rise occurs at the beginning of the startup step. When cold start is at −15 C, the generated water freezes quickly, which causes the performance degradation in local areas. Two cases with the same side H 2 and air inlet manifolds show the better cold start performance at −15 C. Combining all the results, during cold start, the proton exchange membrane fuel cell gas manifold position that the H 2 and air inlets at the bottom and outlets at the top is recommended.

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Investigation of the effect of micro-porous layer on PEM fuel cell cold start operation

Cited by 69 publications

References 42 publications

Two-phase flow and oxygen transport in the perforated gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Two-phase flow and oxygen transport in the perforated gas diffusion layer of proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Temperature Effects in Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

Mechanism analysis of the effect of different gas manifold positions on proton exchange membrane fuel cell cold start performance

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