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Effects of anisotropic permeability and electrical conductivity of gas diffusion layers on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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  • Ismail, M.S.
  • Hughes, K.J.
  • Ingham, D.B.
  • Ma, L.
  • Pourkashanian, M.

Abstract

A 3-dimensional model for an in-house proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell with serpentine channels has been developed in order to investigate the sensitivity of the fuel cell performance to the anisotropic gas permeability and electrical conductivity of gas diffusion layers (GDLs). For a realistic range of transport properties being investigated, the fuel cell performance was found to be very sensitive to the electrical conductivity but almost insensitive to the gas permeability of the GDL. For the given operating conditions, the current density was found to be a maximum in the vicinity of the edge between the flow channel and the rib of the current collector. Since the most common GDL materials present a rather significant anisotropy in the in-plane directions, the effects of such anisotropy has been evaluated. Given that the through-plane conductivity is maintained constant for all the cases investigated, for a realistic range of the in-plane electrical conductivity, the fuel cell performance was found to be almost insensitive to this parameter. Therefore such anisotropy can be practically ignored. Finally, for single phase operating conditions, the U-bend in the serpentine channel has no effect on the overall performance of the fuel cell. Hence, only a straight channel of the fuel cell may be modelled and used as a quick performance indicator.

Suggested Citation

  • Ismail, M.S. & Hughes, K.J. & Ingham, D.B. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M., 2012. "Effects of anisotropic permeability and electrical conductivity of gas diffusion layers on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 50-63.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:95:y:2012:i:c:p:50-63
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.02.003
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Wu, Horng-Wen & Ku, Hui-Wen, 2011. "The optimal parameters estimation for rectangular cylinders installed transversely in the flow channel of PEMFC from a three-dimensional PEMFC model and the Taguchi method," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4879-4890.
    2. Nam, Jinmoo & Chippar, Purushothama & Kim, Whangi & Ju, Hyunchul, 2010. "Numerical analysis of gas crossover effects in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(12), pages 3699-3709, December.
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    5. 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.
    6. Jiao, Kui & Park, Jaewan & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Experimental investigations on liquid water removal from the gas diffusion layer by reactant flow in a PEM fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2770-2777, September.
    7. Wu, Hao & Berg, Peter & Li, Xianguo, 2010. "Steady and unsteady 3D non-isothermal modeling of PEM fuel cells with the effect of non-equilibrium phase transfer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(9), pages 2778-2784, September.
    8. Perng, Shiang-Wuu & Wu, Horng-Wen, 2010. "Effect of the prominent catalyst layer surface on reactant gas transport and cell performance at the cathodic side of a PEMFC," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 87(4), pages 1386-1399, April.
    9. 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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