Numerical Simulation of the Cold-Start Process of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell

Abstract

In this study, the cold-start process of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell has been numerically investigated under various ambient temperatures and operating currents, ranging from subzero to 283 K. The water desorbed from the electrolyte, when the cell temperature is below the freezing point, is assumed to exist in a state of either supercooled water or ice. The evolution of cell voltage, temperature, membrane water content, and the averaged volume fraction of supercooled water or ice in the catalyst layer and gas diffusion layer are presented. The results indicate that the cold-start process may fail due to ice blocking of the cathode catalyst layer when the desorbed water is in the form of ice and the ambient temperature is sufficiently low. However, when the desorbed water is in a supercooled state, it can diffuse from the cathode catalyst layer to the cathode gas diffusion layer, avoiding water clogging and enabling a successful cold-start process. During the cold-start process, as the ice undergoes a melting process, the membrane water content inside the membrane would increase rapidly, and a larger operation current with anode gas humidification is helpful to the cold-start process.