Study on Water Transport Mechanisms of the PEMFC Based on a Visualization Platform and Water Balance Model

Xin Zhao,Ruidi Wang,Yanyi Zhang,Dong Hao,Zirong Yang,Rui Wu

doi:10.1155/2021/9298305

Abstract

It is widely acknowledged that the water balance issue is extremely important for improving the performance and durability of the proton exchange membrane fuel cell. In the presented paper, the visualization platform of the single fuel cell and the water balance model were built to investigate the water transport mechanisms. A transparent 25 cm2 single fuel cell with serpentine flow channels was adopted. Based on the experimental data, firstly, the change rate of water content in the fuel cell was calculated quantitatively and the reliability of the water balance model was rigorously validated. Then, the water state in the fuel cell as the qualitative finding was observed online to assist the research of water transport mechanisms. Finally, the effects of inlet gas temperature, inlet gas humidity, and hydrogen/air stoichiometry on the EIS, the voltage, and the water content in the fuel cell were studied quantitatively, respectively. The corresponding relationship between the performance and the water content in the fuel cell was obtained.

Highlights

E mechanical degradation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the local lack of fuel and oxidant may be caused by the long-term operation of the fuel cell under a water flooding condition [7,8,9]
In order to achieve the best performance of the vehicle fuel cell, the inlet gas humidity, operating temperature, current density, and hydrogen/air stoichiometry must be maintained appropriate. e higher the current density is, the more the water produced by the electrochemical reactions is
The visualization platform of the single fuel cell is established. en, the water balance model of proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is proposed. e change rate of water content in the fuel cell is calculated, and the reliability of the water balance model is verified through the experiment data

Summary

Introduction

E mechanical degradation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) and the local lack of fuel and oxidant may be caused by the long-term operation of the fuel cell under a water flooding condition [7,8,9]. In order to achieve the best performance of the vehicle fuel cell, the inlet gas humidity, operating temperature, current density, and hydrogen/air stoichiometry must be maintained appropriate. In 2007, Spernjak et al [14] used the polycarbonate end plate as the visual window to study the two-phase flow dynamics of various GDL materials. In 2009, Guo et al [15] designed the cathode and anode graphite plates with serpentine flow channels of the visual single fuel cell. In 2018, Rao et al [19] used a titanium plate with high conductivity and chemical stability and a 5 mm transparent acrylic visual window to study the effect of torque applied on the bolt on the fuel cell performance

Methods

Results

Conclusion