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Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell flooding mitigation under heavy loading condition

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  • Chen, Huicui
  • Zhang, Ruirui
  • Xia, Zhifeng
  • Weng, Qianyao
  • Zhang, Tong
  • Pei, Pucheng

Abstract

Water flooding is a crucial factor affecting the lifetime of a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In this paper, A laboratory-scale (25 cm2) single PEM fuel cell was tested to investigate the characteristics of fuel cell under a load shedding process with various air flow rates. The performance was assessed using output power and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, while the cathode flooding was identified using voltage and cathode pressure drop. The results show that reducing the load within a specific range can lower the impedance and lessen floods. The results also demonstrate that there is an optimal inlet flow rate interval considering its effect on system efficiency, durability, and water flooding. In addition, a stepped load shedding pattern was proposed to solve the flooding problem of a fuel cell while taking the power demand into account. The effect of load shedding cycle and air inlet flow rate on flooding was evaluated by comparing the flooding severity coefficient and output power. The results prove that a longer current reduction cycle is more favorable in alleviating flooding problems. The optimal mode for the fuel cell in this paper was determined according to the flooding situation and power variation. Finally, the approach to obtaining the optimal load shedding pattern for other PEM fuel cells system was summarized. The flooding mitigation approach proposed in this paper can be utilized as a guide for developing strategies to extend the life of PEM fuel cells.

Suggested Citation

  • Chen, Huicui & Zhang, Ruirui & Xia, Zhifeng & Weng, Qianyao & Zhang, Tong & Pei, Pucheng, 2023. "Experimental investigation on PEM fuel cell flooding mitigation under heavy loading condition," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 349(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:349:y:2023:i:c:s0306261923009960
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2023.121632
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bao Li & Shibo Cao & Yanzhou Qin & Xin Liu & Xiaomin Xu & Qianfan Xin, 2024. "Liquid Water Transport and Distribution in the Gas Diffusion Layer of a Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell Considering Interfacial Cracks," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-18, October.
    3. Ma, Haoran & Liu, Junheng & Liang, Wenwen & Li, Jiyu & Zhao, Wenyao & Sun, Ping & Ji, Qian, 2024. "Effects of PEMFC cooling channel insulation coating on heat transfer and electrical discharge characteristics of nanofluid coolants," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    4. Wang, Mingkai & Pei, Pucheng & Xu, Yiming & Ren, Peng & Wang, He, 2024. "Novel methods for fault diagnosis and enhancing CO tolerance in PEM fuel cells fueled with impure hydrogen," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 375(C).
    5. Fan, Ruijia & Chang, Guofeng & Xu, Yiming & Zhang, Yuanzhi, 2024. "Investigating the transient electrical behaviors in PEM fuel cells under various platinum distributions within cathode catalyst layers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    6. Tingke Fang & Coleman Vairin & Annette von Jouanne & Emmanuel Agamloh & Alex Yokochi, 2024. "Review of Fuel-Cell Electric Vehicles," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-25, April.

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