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Measurement of current distribution in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with various flow arrangements – A parametric study

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  • Alaefour, Ibrahim
  • Karimi, G.
  • Jiao, Kui
  • Li, X.

Abstract

Understanding of current distributions in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) is crucial for designing cell components such as the flow field plates and the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). In this study, the spatial current density distributions in a single PEMFC with three serpentine flow channels are measured using a segmented bipolar plate and printed circuit board technique. The effects of key operating conditions such as stoichiometry ratios, inlet humidity levels, cell pressure and temperature on the local current density distributions for co-, counter-, and cross-flow arrangements are examined. It is observed that the local current density distribution over the MEA is directly affected by the cell operating conditions along with the configuration of the flow arrangement. It is also found that among the different flow configurations tested under the various operating conditions, the counter flow arrangement provides the optimum average current density and the lowest variations in the local current densities along the flow channels.

Suggested Citation

  • Alaefour, Ibrahim & Karimi, G. & Jiao, Kui & Li, X., 2012. "Measurement of current distribution in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with various flow arrangements – A parametric study," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 80-89.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:93:y:2012:i:c:p:80-89
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.05.033
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    7. Lim, In Seop & Lee, Yeong Ho & Lee, Yoo Il & Kang, Byeonghyun & Park, Jin Young & Kim, Min Soo, 2023. "In-plane design strategy of gas diffusion layer and optimization to improve performance and current distribution uniformity in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
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    9. Hwang, Jenn-Jiang, 2013. "Thermal control and performance assessment of a proton exchanger membrane fuel cell generator," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 108(C), pages 184-193.
    10. Wan, Zhongmin & Liu, Jing & Luo, Zhiping & Tu, Zhengkai & Liu, Zhichun & Liu, Wei, 2013. "Evaluation of self-water-removal in a dead-ended proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 751-757.
    11. Hosseinzadeh, Elham & Rokni, Masoud & Rabbani, Abid & Mortensen, Henrik Hilleke, 2013. "Thermal and water management of low temperature Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell in fork-lift truck power system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 104(C), pages 434-444.
    12. 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.
    13. Liu, Dengcheng & Lin, Rui & Feng, Bowen & Han, Lihang & Zhang, Yu & Ni, Meng & Wu, Sai, 2019. "Localised electrochemical impedance spectroscopy investigation of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells using Print circuit board based interference-free system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(C).
    14. Jiao, Kui & Bachman, John & Zhou, Yibo & Park, Jae Wan, 2014. "Effect of induced cross flow on flow pattern and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(C), pages 75-82.
    15. Khayyam, Hamid & Naebe, Minoo & Bab-Hadiashar, Alireza & Jamshidi, Farshid & Li, Quanxiang & Atkiss, Stephen & Buckmaster, Derek & Fox, Bronwyn, 2015. "Stochastic optimization models for energy management in carbonization process of carbon fiber production," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 643-655.
    16. Iranzo, A. & Arredondo, C.H. & Kannan, A.M. & Rosa, F., 2020. "Biomimetic flow fields for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review of design trends," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    17. Singdeo, Debanand & Dey, Tapobrata & Gaikwad, Shrihari & Andreasen, Søren Juhl & Ghosh, Prakash C., 2017. "A new modified-serpentine flow field for application in high temperature polymer electrolyte fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C), pages 13-22.

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