Optimization of parametric performance of a PEMFC

Abstract In this study, the Taguchi method was applied to determine optimum working conditions in obtaining maximum power density of a PEMFC. Performance measure analysis was also followed by performing a variance analysis, in order to determine the optimum levels and relative magnitude of the effect of parameters. The optimum working conditions were found to be system pressure, 5 bar; flow rate ratio of H 2 and O 2 , 1 / 2 ; temperature of fuel cell, 75 ∘ C and temperature of humidifiers, 75 ∘ C . Under these conditions, the amount of maximum power density was predicted as 353 mW cm - 2 by using experimental results obtained according to Taguchi's orthogonal array (OA) L 9 ( 3 4 ) . Verification experiment was done for the same optimum conditions and maximum power density was observed as 379.64 mW cm - 2 . According to the results of this optimization, it was seen that pressure and humidification temperature were the effective parameters.

[1]  Denis Candusso,et al.  Study of gas pressure and flow rate influences on a 500 W PEM fuel cell, thanks to the experimental design methodology , 2006 .

[2]  Madhan Shridhar Phadke,et al.  Quality Engineering Using Robust Design , 1989 .

[3]  Junbom Kim,et al.  Study of external humidification method in proton exchange membrane fuel cell , 2004 .

[4]  U. Stimming,et al.  Conductance of Nafion 117 membranes as a function of temperature and water content , 1995 .

[5]  Massimo Santarelli,et al.  Experimental analysis of the effects of the operating variables on the performance of a single PEMFC , 2007 .

[6]  Y. M. Ferng,et al.  Analytical and experimental investigations of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell , 2004 .

[7]  Lin Wang,et al.  A parametric study of PEM fuel cell performances , 2003 .

[8]  Edson A. Ticianelli,et al.  Localization of platinum in low catalyst loading electrodes to to attain high power densities in SPE fuel cells , 1988 .

[9]  Marilyn Hwan,et al.  Quality through design , 1989 .

[10]  T. R. Bement,et al.  Taguchi techniques for quality engineering , 1995 .

[11]  K. S. Dhathathreyan,et al.  Humidification studies on polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell , 2001 .

[12]  Jenn-Jiang Hwang,et al.  Parametric studies of a double-cell stack of PEMFC using Grafoil™ flow-field plates , 2002 .

[13]  Steven Holdcroft,et al.  Temperature and pressure dependence of O2 reduction at Pt | Nafion® 117 and Pt | BAM® 407 interfaces , 1999 .

[14]  Vecihi Yigit,et al.  Optimization of desulphurization of Artvin–Yusufeli lignite with acidic hydrogen peroxide solutions , 2007 .