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Dominant factor and mechanism of coupling phenomena in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell

Author

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  • Nishimura, Akira
  • Shibuya, Kenichi
  • Morimoto, Atsushi
  • Tanaka, Shigeki
  • Hirota, Masafumi
  • Nakamura, Yoshihiro
  • Kojima, Masashi
  • Narita, Masahiko
  • Hu, Eric

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to understand the dominant factor and mechanism in coupled phenomena of heat and mass transfer and power generation in a single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell. Through the observation window, the in-plane temperature distribution at backside of gas channel of separator on cathode side, when it generated power, was measured by thermograph. The impact of gas supply conditions, i.e., flow rate, relative humidity of supply gas and gas channel pitch of separator on in-plane temperature distribution was investigated. The voltage to the load current, temperature, relative humidity and flow rate of supply and exhaust gas were measured. As a result, it was found the consumed gas flow rate and total voltage were almost unchanged if the gas was supplied over the stoichiometric ratio of 1.0, irrespective of relative humidity of supply gas. The range of in-plane temperature distribution was reduced with increasing excess gas supply due to the convection heat transfer by unconsumed gas flow. The power generation performance was promoted and the in-plane temperature was reduced with decreasing gas channel pitch irrespective of relative humidity of supply gas.

Suggested Citation

  • Nishimura, Akira & Shibuya, Kenichi & Morimoto, Atsushi & Tanaka, Shigeki & Hirota, Masafumi & Nakamura, Yoshihiro & Kojima, Masashi & Narita, Masahiko & Hu, Eric, 2012. "Dominant factor and mechanism of coupling phenomena in single cell of polymer electrolyte fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(1), pages 73-79.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:90:y:2012:i:1:p:73-79
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.01.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2011. "Non-isothermal transport phenomenon and cell performance of a cathodic PEM fuel cell with a baffle plate in a tapered channel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(1), pages 52-67, January.
    2. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen & Jue, Tswen-Chyuan & Cheng, Kuo-Chih, 2009. "Numerical predictions of a PEM fuel cell performance enhancement by a rectangular cylinder installed transversely in the flow channel," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 86(9), pages 1541-1554, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Akira Nishimura & Daiki Mishima & Kyohei Toyoda & Syogo Ito & Mohan Lal Kolhe, 2023. "Numerical Simulation on Effect of Separator Thickness on Coupling Phenomena in Single Cell of PEFC under Higher Temperature Operation Condition at 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-28, January.
    2. Akira Nishimura & Kyohei Toyoda & Yuya Kojima & Syogo Ito & Eric Hu, 2021. "Numerical Simulation on Impacts of Thickness of Nafion Series Membranes and Relative Humidity on PEMFC Operated at 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-24, December.
    3. Teresa J. Leo & Miguel A. Raso & Emilio Navarro & Eleuterio Mora, 2013. "Long Term Performance Study of a Direct Methanol Fuel Cell Fed with Alcohol Blends," Energies, MDPI, vol. 6(1), pages 1-12, January.
    4. Tang, Hong-Yue & Santamaria, Anthony D. & Bachman, John & Park, Jae Wan, 2013. "Vacuum-assisted drying of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 264-270.
    5. Akira Nishimura & Nozomu Kono & Kyohei Toyoda & Daiki Mishima & Mohan Lal Kolhe, 2022. "Impact of Separator Thickness on Temperature Distribution in Single Cell of Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell Operated at Higher Temperature of 90 °C and 100 °C," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-25, June.
    6. Wang, H.Y. & Yang, W.J. & Kim, Y.B., 2014. "Analyzing in-plane temperature distribution via a micro-temperature sensor in a unit polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 124(C), pages 148-155.
    7. Nishimura, Akira & Yamamoto, Kohei & Okado, Tatsuya & Kojima, Yuya & Hirota, Masafumi & Kolhe, Mohan Lal, 2020. "Impact analysis of MPL and PEM thickness on temperature distribution within PEFC operating at relatively higher temperature," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    8. Lin, Chien-Hung & Tsai, Sung-Ying, 2012. "An investigation of coated aluminium bipolar plates for PEMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 87-92.
    9. Lin, Chien-Hung, 2013. "Surface roughness effect on the metallic bipolar plates of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 898-904.

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