Modeling of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with circular and elliptical cross-section gas channels: A novel procedure

Abstract

Summary The main objective of this paper is to develop an analytical solution based on the perturbation method to solve the continuity and momentum equations governing the flow in gas channels of a PEMFC having circular and elliptical cross sections. The equations are solved in both the anode and cathode gas channels with appropriately defined perturbation parameters to obtain the velocity profile in these channels. It was observed that by changing the circular cross section to an elliptical one (ie, increasing the value of perturbation parameter), the axial velocity increases. As a result, the penetration of species into the reaction areas decreases. Then, the effect of species penetration speed on the performance of PEMFC is discussed. Increasing the penetration speed (ie, radial velocity) of the reactant gases causes the maximum value of the gas velocity in the channel to decrease. This would imply that the diffusion rate of the reactant species to the reaction areas, and thereby the cell performance would be optimized. Apart from the analytical solution, 3‐D numerical solution of the governing equations using collocated finite volume method along with the SIMPLE algorithm is also performed. The results are validated against the available published data. The numerical results confirm that by converting the circular cross section to the elliptical one, while other conditions are fixed, the PEMFC produces less current density.

Reduced graphene oxide–coated anode gas diffusion layer for performance enhancement of proton‐exchange membrane fuel cell

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Research on two‐phase flow considering hydrogen crossover in the membrane for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

“…Unique properties make fuel cells possess many practical applications, including new energy vehicle, distributed power generation, portable power, and even space shuttles. Among many types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has become an important candidate for automobile engines because of its simplicity and low operating temperature …”

“…Among many types of fuel cells, polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) has become an important candidate for automobile engines because of its simplicity and low operating temperature. [4][5][6][7] Compared with the traditional energy conversion devices, PEMFC power generation principle is relatively simple. In the anode, hydrogen is catalyzed by platinum to generate hydrogen ions and electrons.…”

Recent advances in hybrid support material for Pt‐based electrocatalysts of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

“…Therefore, the technical issues including sluggish kinetics of oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), high platinum (Pt) catalyst loading, poor durability of catalyst support, poisoning of hydrogen fuel (due to existence of S and CO even in parts per million), low proton conductivity of proton exchange membrane at elevated temperatures, insufficient mechanical strength of branched membranes, poor water management at electrodes, and methanol crossover (in case of direct methanol fuel cells) need to be addressed . In addition to that, experimental results can also be compared with the computational fluid dynamics models to better understand the distribution of gas in different types of flow channels and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) …”

“…[20][21][22][23][24][25][26] In addition to that, experimental results can also be compared with the computational fluid dynamics models to better understand the distribution of gas in different types of flow channels and membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). 27,28 Conventionally, supported Pt in the form of nanoparticles, nanotubes, nanodendrites, nanorods, nanowires (NWs), etc., is being used as catalyst for its superior catalytic activity and excellent resistance towards acidic and oxidative environments, whose cost can be further reduced by employing Pt-based alloys (bi metallic, eg. Pt-Ni, Pt-Mo, Pt-Pd, and trimetallic) to increase the specific activity.…”