Analysis of steady state heating configuration for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on multi-physical numerical modelling

Abstract

A three-dimensional model is developed to investigate the steady state heating configuration for a high temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) stack. By numerically modelling a simplified partial single cell, a particular heating configuration is investigated for temperature distribution, emphasising on the membrane. The effects of the Anode inlet temperature (AIT) and Cathode inlet temperature (CIT) on the temperature distribution are investigated. The results indicate that low temperatures can be experienced near the gas inlets, especially close to the vertical edges, which are affected by the Anode inlet temperature, and especially by the Cathode inlet temperature. Thus, it is critical to control the Cathode inlet temperature to ensure that the membrane temperature close to the cathode inlet, does not reduce to a value that is detrimental to the fuel cell performance. Specifically, a Cathode inlet temperature of higher than 100 °C can ensure that the membrane temperature close to the cathode gas inlet, does not reduce below 150 °C. In addition, increasing the interior air velocity is found to reduce the maximum membrane temperature and the maximum cell temperature experienced at the bipolar plates significantly. Finally, an energy analysis based on a typical 1-kW stack suggests that increasing the Anode inlet temperature can reduce the overall energy requirement significantly.