Power density optimization of PEMFC cathode with non-uniform catalyst layer by Simplex method and numerical simulation

Ebrahimi, Sasan; Roshandel, Ramin; Vijayaraghavan, Krishna

doi:10.1016/j.ijhydene.2016.07.247

Cited by 32 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 44 publications

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“…Fig. 10 15 who computed the optimum catalyst distribution using the Nelder-Mead Simplex technique and obtained an increase in the power density of 7% and by Cetinbas et al 43 who obtained an increase of 10-14%. Figures 11a and 11b present the optimized catalyst distributions for the two average Pt loadings, respectively.…”

Section: Journal Of Thementioning

confidence: 99%

“…For this reason, heuristic techniques can be applied to optimize only a small number of variables (called design variables) and often need to be used with simplified models, such as compact, reduced-order models, or equivalent circuit models. For example, Ebrahimi et al 15 assume that the catalyst density varies only along the x-direction (along the length of the cell) and according to a predefined polynomial function, with unknown coefficients. In this way the number of design variables is reduced to the number of coefficients of the polynomial function and the optimization problem is solved using the Nelder-Mead Simplex technique.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Adjoint Method for the Optimization of the Catalyst Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Lamb

Mixon

Andrei

2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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In this article we present an adjoint method for the optimization of the catalyst distribution in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). By using the theory of functional analysis we derive analytical equations for the sensitivity functions of the cell voltage with respect to the catalyst distribution in a very general framework, independent on the transport model used to simulate the PEMFC. Then we present an efficient numerical algorithm to calculate the sensitivity functions using the adjoint method. The adjoint method has the advantage that it can be applied to the optimization of systems with a large (>10 4 ) number of optimization variables that are computed simultaneously and independently to maximize the objective function. Finally, we apply the method to the optimization of 2-D platinum distribution in PEMFCs. We show that the optimum platinum distribution varies with the operating conditions, position of landings and openings, cell geometry, and dimensions of the catalyst layers. The method presented in this work can be naturally extended to the optimization of other 2-D and 3-D field variables such as the porosity of catalyst and gas diffusion layers, particle size distribution, or microstructure of the cell. Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) have attracted the attention of the research community because of their high power density, energy efficiency, and environmentally friendly characteristics. Operating at low temperatures, PEMFCs are suitable for a variety of applications ranging from automotive applications to stationary and portable applications. In the area of automotive applications, PEMFCs have already been introduced commercially or for demonstration purposes by all the major car manufacturing companies; in addition, they are increasingly being used in busses, motorcycles, boats, submarines, and airplanes.1,2 In the area of stationary and portable applications, PEMFCs are employed as emergency power systems, such as uninterrupted power supplies, and have the potential to be used for energy storage in electric grid systems.3 Since the technical feasibility of PEMFCs has already been established, a significant amount of current research focuses on increasing the durability and decreasing the total manufacturing cost, which, at large manufacturing volumes, is mainly given by the cost of the catalyst layers (CLs), bipolar plates, and membrane.4-8 (For instance, the US Department of Energy estimates that 45% of the cost of fuel cell stack fabricated at a volume of 500,000 systems/year is due to the cost of platinum, 27% to bipolar plates, 10% to the cost of membrane 9 ). In this article, we address the problem of decreasing the manufacturing cost of the CLs by presenting a large-scale optimization technique to optimize the platinum deposition in the CLs of PEMFCs. The technique can also be applied to the optimization of other two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) field variables, such as porosity distribution and ionomer content, in which the number of optimization p...

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Section: Journal Of Thementioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Adjoint Method for the Optimization of the Catalyst Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Lamb

Mixon

Andrei

2017

J. Electrochem. Soc.

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“…Some of the main setbacks of using PEMFC are the low durability and high cost of the electrocatalysts used, especially Pt (Lobato et al 2016). Pt has been widely used as the primary catalyst, which also contributes to the excessive cost of PEMFC (Ebrahimi et al 2016).…”

Section: Costmentioning

confidence: 99%

Recent Perspectives and Crucial Challenges on Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC)

Hasran¹,

Pauzi²,

Basri³

et al. 2018

JKUKM

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Renewable sources of energy are becoming increasingly popular in recent years. The idea of using alternative energy that utilizes renewable sources is to slowly replace our dependence on fossil fuels. Conventional fossil fuels are not viable due to the fact that they are predominantly unsustainable over the long run. Furthermore, pollution will be reduced through the use of cleaner and more environmentally friendly renewable energy. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), which utilizes hydrogen as fuel, has a high potential as an alternative power generator. The unitized regenerative fuel cell (URFC) is a type of PEMFC that can perform both in charge mode (as a fuel cell) and discharge mode (as an electrolyzer). This review looks into the recent researches on the structure and different components of the URFC. In particular, emphasis is placed on bifunctional electrodes. Recent development in URFC research has produced a more stable bifunctional electrode with improved energy efficiency and overall stability and durability. Various works have been carried out to replace Pt as the electrocatalyst, including the use of graphene as a low cost non-metal graphene-based electrocatalyst. Electrocatalyst support also plays an important role in increasing conductivity while reducing the catalyst resistance to corrosion. The technological challenges and limitations of the URFC system are also discussed in this review.

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“…This variable loading was defined from the membrane/CL interface to the GDL and “in the catalyst plane” under the channels and land areas. In another research, Ebrahimi et al 25 employed a CFD approach to perform investigation on the agglomerate model of the cathode catalyst layer (CCL) to enhance the power density of the PEMFC. Such model was implemented by the optimal distribution of the catalyst in the CCL.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nonisothermal two‐phase modeling of the effect of linear nonuniform catalyst layer on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance

Sabzpoushan

Mosleh

Kavian

et al. 2020

Energy Science & Engineering

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Power density optimization of PEMFC cathode with non-uniform catalyst layer by Simplex method and numerical simulation

Cited by 32 publications

References 44 publications

Adjoint Method for the Optimization of the Catalyst Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Adjoint Method for the Optimization of the Catalyst Distribution in Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells

Recent Perspectives and Crucial Challenges on Unitized Regenerative Fuel Cell (URFC)

Nonisothermal two‐phase modeling of the effect of linear nonuniform catalyst layer on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell performance

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