A passive method of water management for an air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Abstract

Water management in an AB-PEMFC (air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cell) poses a big challenge due to its passive operation. The issue is addressed in a passive way by designing the fuel cell with low thermal conductivity materials. Use of low thermal conductivity materials for cell fabrication led to higher cell temperatures. The liquid water formation was delayed to high current densities due to increase in saturation pressure and higher buoyancy induced flow. Peak power density was increased by 36% and the limiting current density was increased by 37.5% when the cell was redesigned with low thermal conductivity materials. Fabricating the cells with low thermal conductivity materials can be very effective method of water management for air-breathing single PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cells and stacks of low capacity.