Performance analysis of a new designed PEM fuel cell

SUMMARY In this paper, a new design for the flow channels is presented, and a parametric study of the proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is conducted in order to investigate the effect of the new flow channels, as well as different operating parameters, on the efficiency and energy output of the cell. Design parameters are selected based on studies presented in the literature to build a physical and practical model. With the new design of the flow channels, it is noticed that the cell efficiency increases from 33.8% to 47.7% if the temperature of the cell is increased. The power output of the cell increases from 2.6 to 282.5 W when the cell temperature and the current density are increased. Moreover, decrease in the efficiency of the cell ranges from 45.5% to 28.4% with the increase in the current density and membrane thickness. Based on the analytical model, design parameters were selected to manufacture a fuel cell that has a power output of 175 W and an efficiency of 35% running at 353 K and 3 bar, with an effective membrane area of 450 cm2. Experiments are conducted to investigate the effect of newly designed flow channels on pressure distribution. It is found that when hydrogen is supplied from both inlets, pressure across the channels become symmetric and, therefore increasing the power output. This study reveals that, with the proper choice of design parameters, a PEM fuel cell is an attractive economical, efficient, and environmental solution when compared with conventional systems of power generation such as gas turbines. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

[1]  Song-Yul Choe,et al.  A high dynamic PEM fuel cell model with temperature effects , 2005 .

[2]  Chunshan Song,et al.  Fuel processing for low-temperature and high-temperature fuel cells , 2002 .

[3]  Rong Chen,et al.  Effect of membrane thickness on the performance and efficiency of passive direct methanol fuel cells , 2006 .

[4]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic modelling of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell , 2006 .

[5]  Lan Sun,et al.  A numerical study of channel-to-channel flow cross-over through the gas diffusion layer in a PEM-fuel-cell flow system using a serpentine channel with a trapezoidal cross-sectional shape , 2006 .

[6]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Environmental and sustainability aspects of hydrogen and fuel cell systems , 2007 .

[7]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Exergetic performance analysis of a PEM fuel cell , 2006 .

[8]  Gholamreza Karimi,et al.  Performance analysis and optimization of PEM fuel cell stacks using flow network approach , 2005 .

[9]  Ranga Pitchumani,et al.  Analysis and design of PEM fuel cells , 2005 .

[10]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Thermodynamic analysis of a PEM fuel cell power system , 2005 .

[11]  Ibrahim Dincer,et al.  Exergoeconomic analysis of a vehicular PEM fuel cell system , 2007 .

[12]  Rajesh K. Ahluwalia,et al.  Fuel cell systems for transportation: Status and trends , 2008 .

[13]  Frano Barbir,et al.  Status and development of PEM fuel cell technology , 2008 .

[14]  F. Barbir,et al.  Efficiency and economics of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells , 1997 .

[15]  W. Preidel,et al.  Status of the development of a direct methanol fuel cell , 1999 .

[16]  S. Wasmus,et al.  Methanol oxidation and direct methanol fuel cells: a selective review 1 In honour of Professor W. Vi , 1999 .

[17]  Lijun Yu,et al.  Transport mechanisms and performance simulation of a PEM fuel cell , 2008 .

[18]  Hyunchul Ju,et al.  A single-phase, non-isothermal model for PEM fuel cells , 2005 .