IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/energy/v111y2016icp869-883.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analytical calculation and evaluation of water transport through a proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on a one-dimensional model

Author

Listed:
  • Hu, Junming
  • Li, Jianqiu
  • Xu, Liangfei
  • Huang, Fusen
  • Ouyang, Minggao

Abstract

A one-dimensional model accounting for chief water transport phenomena in proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell is developed. The water transfer process in catalyst layers (membrane water absorption/desorption) is explicitly taken into account and the mathematical descriptions of the Schroeder's paradox are presented in this model. In addition, to solve two-phase problems in gas diffusion layers (GDLs) without using complex numerical approach, the assumption of an infinite phase change rate is applied and the analytical solutions to the two-phase model equations are derived. Based on the model and the analytical solutions, an identification procedure using the iterative approach is proposed to (1) determine the net water flux through the membrane, (2) obtain exact water profiles in all components of PEM fuel cell and (3) predict the dehydration and flooding. The AC impedance technique is used to analyze the cell performance and the predicting capability of the model-based approach is validated. The measurements and predictions both reveal the effect of electro-osmotic drag on drying the anode at high current and the trade-off between membrane dehydration and water flooding in the cell.

Suggested Citation

  • Hu, Junming & Li, Jianqiu & Xu, Liangfei & Huang, Fusen & Ouyang, Minggao, 2016. "Analytical calculation and evaluation of water transport through a proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on a one-dimensional model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 111(C), pages 869-883.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:111:y:2016:i:c:p:869-883
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.06.020
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360544216307939
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.energy.2016.06.020?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Siegel, C., 2008. "Review of computational heat and mass transfer modeling in polymer-electrolyte-membrane (PEM) fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(9), pages 1331-1352.
    2. Chen, Ben & Wang, Jun & Yang, Tianqi & Cai, Yonghua & Zhang, Caizhi & Chan, Siew Hwa & Yu, Yi & Tu, Zhengkai, 2016. "Carbon corrosion and performance degradation mechanism in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode and cathode," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 54-62.
    3. Abdollahzadeh, M. & Pascoa, J.C. & Ranjbar, A.A. & Esmaili, Q., 2014. "Analysis of PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cell cathode two-dimensional modeling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 478-494.
    4. Rakhshanpouri, S. & Rowshanzamir, S., 2013. "Water transport through a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell in a seven-layer model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 220-231.
    5. Iranzo, Alfredo & Boillat, Pierre & Biesdorf, Johannes & Salva, Antonio, 2015. "Investigation of the liquid water distributions in a 50 cm2 PEM fuel cell: Effects of reactants relative humidity, current density, and cathode stoichiometry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 914-921.
    6. Xing, Lei & Liu, Xiaoteng & Alaje, Taiwo & Kumar, Ravi & Mamlouk, Mohamed & Scott, Keith, 2014. "A two-phase flow and non-isothermal agglomerate model for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 618-634.
    7. Kang, Sanggyu, 2015. "Quasi-three dimensional dynamic modeling of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with consideration of two-phase water transport through a gas diffusion layer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P2), pages 1388-1400.
    8. Carton, J.G. & Lawlor, V. & Olabi, A.G. & Hochenauer, C. & Zauner, G., 2012. "Water droplet accumulation and motion in PEM (Proton Exchange Membrane) fuel cell mini-channels," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 39(1), pages 63-73.
    9. Djilali, N., 2007. "Computational modelling of polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells: Challenges and opportunities," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(4), pages 269-280.
    10. Xing, Lei & Cai, Qiong & Xu, Chenxi & Liu, Chunbo & Scott, Keith & Yan, Yongsheng, 2016. "Numerical study of the effect of relative humidity and stoichiometric flow ratio on PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell performance with various channel lengths: An anode partial flooding modelli," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 631-645.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Toghyani, S. & Afshari, E. & Baniasadi, E. & Atyabi, S.A. & Naterer, G.F., 2018. "Thermal and electrochemical performance assessment of a high temperature PEM electrolyzer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 237-246.
    2. Afra, Mehran & Nazari, Mohsen & Kayhani, Mohammad Hasan & Sharifpur, M. & Meyer, J.P., 2019. "3D experimental visualization of water flooding in proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 175(C), pages 967-977.
    3. Feng, ShengSen & Huang, WenTao & Huang, Zhe & Jian, Qifei, 2022. "Optimization of maximum power density output for proton exchange membrane fuel cell based on a data-driven surrogate model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 317(C).
    4. Liu, Huize & Hu, Zunyan & Li, Jianqiu & Xu, Liangfei & Shao, Yangbin & Ouyang, Minggao, 2023. "Investigation on the optimal GDL thickness design for PEMFCs considering channel/rib geometry matching and operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    5. Zhang, Qinguo & Tong, Zheming & Tong, Shuiguang & Cheng, Zhewu, 2021. "Self-humidifying effect of air self-circulation system for proton exchange membrane fuel cell engines," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1143-1155.
    6. Bai, Fan & Quan, Hong-Bing & Yin, Ren-Jie & Zhang, Zhuo & Jin, Shu-Qi & He, Pu & Mu, Yu-Tong & Gong, Xiao-Ming & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2022. "Three-dimensional multi-field digital twin technology for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    7. Dapeng Gong & Sichuan Xu & Yuan Gao, 2023. "Investigation of Water and Heat Transfer Mechanism in PEMFCs Based on a Two-Phase Non-Isothermal Model," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-20, January.
    8. Yang, Yuchen & Wu, Zhen & Wang, Bofei & Yao, Jing & Yang, Fusheng & Zhang, Zaoxiao & Ren, Jianwei, 2024. "Efficient water recovery and power generation system based on air-cooled fuel cell with semi-closed cathode circulation mode," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 364(C).
    9. Xu, Liangfei & Fang, Chuan & Li, Jianqiu & Ouyang, Minggao & Lehnert, Werner, 2018. "Nonlinear dynamic mechanism modeling of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with dead-ended anode considering mass transport and actuator properties," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 230(C), pages 106-121.
    10. Lin, Rui & Wang, Hong & Zhu, Yu, 2021. "Optimizing the structural design of cathode catalyst layer for PEM fuel cells for improving mass-specific power density," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 221(C).
    11. Marco Mariani & Andrea Basso Peressut & Saverio Latorrata & Riccardo Balzarotti & Maurizio Sansotera & Giovanni Dotelli, 2021. "The Role of Fluorinated Polymers in the Water Management of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-17, December.
    12. Wu, Horng-Wen & Shih, Gin-Jang & Chen, Yi-Bin, 2018. "Effect of operational parameters on transport and performance of a PEM fuel cell with the best protrusive gas diffusion layer arrangement," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 47-58.
    13. Dapeng Gong & Sichuan Xu & Xuhui Wang & Yuan Gao, 2022. "Numerical Study on the Effects of Water and Heat Transport on Two-Phase Flow in a Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-24, November.
    14. Liu, Jiaran & Tan, Jinzhu & Yang, Weizhan & Li, Yang & Wang, Chao, 2021. "Better electrochemical performance of PEMFC under a novel pneumatic clamping mechanism," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 229(C).
    15. Hong, Po & Xu, Liangfei & Li, Jianqiu & Ouyang, Minggao, 2017. "Modeling of membrane electrode assembly of PEM fuel cell to analyze voltage losses inside," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 139(C), pages 277-288.
    16. Chen, Lei & Chen, Yanyu & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2023. "Schroeder's paradox in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 173(C).
    17. Cha, Dowon & Jeon, Seung Won & Yang, Wonseok & Kim, Dongwoo & Kim, Yongchan, 2018. "Comparative performance evaluation of self-humidifying PEMFCs with short-side-chain and long-side-chain membranes under various operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 320-328.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Xu, Liangfei & Fang, Chuan & Hu, Junming & Cheng, Siliang & Li, Jianqiu & Ouyang, Minggao & Lehnert, Werner, 2017. "Parameter extraction of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell based on quasi-dynamic model and periphery signals," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 675-690.
    2. Abdollahzadeh, M. & Ribeirinha, P. & Boaventura, M. & Mendes, A., 2018. "Three-dimensional modeling of PEMFC with contaminated anode fuel," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 939-959.
    3. Chowdhury, Mohammad Ziauddin & Timurkutluk, Bora, 2018. "Transport phenomena of convergent and divergent serpentine flow fields for PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 161(C), pages 104-117.
    4. Yin, Cong & Gao, Jianlong & Wen, Xuhui & Xie, Guangyou & Yang, Chunhua & Fang, Honglin & Tang, Hao, 2016. "In situ investigation of proton exchange membrane fuel cell performance with novel segmented cell design and a two-phase flow model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 1071-1089.
    5. Abdin, Z. & Webb, C.J. & Gray, E.MacA., 2016. "PEM fuel cell model and simulation in Matlab–Simulink based on physical parameters," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 116(P1), pages 1131-1144.
    6. Salva, J. Antonio & Iranzo, Alfredo & Rosa, Felipe & Tapia, Elvira, 2016. "Validation of cell voltage and water content in a PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cell model using neutron imaging for different operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 100-112.
    7. Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Ma, L. & Hughes, K.J. & Pourkashanian, M., 2017. "Effects of catalyst agglomerate shape in polymer electrolyte fuel cells investigated by a multi-scale modelling framework," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 420-430.
    8. Xing, Lei & Cai, Qiong & Xu, Chenxi & Liu, Chunbo & Scott, Keith & Yan, Yongsheng, 2016. "Numerical study of the effect of relative humidity and stoichiometric flow ratio on PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell performance with various channel lengths: An anode partial flooding modelli," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 631-645.
    9. Afshari, E. & Mosharaf-Dehkordi, M. & Rajabian, H., 2017. "An investigation of the PEM fuel cells performance with partially restricted cathode flow channels and metal foam as a flow distributor," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 705-715.
    10. Xing, Lei & Du, Shangfeng & Chen, Rui & Mamlouk, Mohamed & Scott, Keith, 2016. "Anode partial flooding modelling of proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Model development and validation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 96(C), pages 80-95.
    11. Barzegari, Mohammad M. & Dardel, Morteza & Alizadeh, Ebrahim & Ramiar, Abas, 2016. "Reduced-order model of cascade-type PEM fuel cell stack with integrated humidifiers and water separators," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 683-692.
    12. Arlt, Tobias & Klages, Merle & Messerschmidt, Matthias & Scholta, Joachim & Manke, Ingo, 2017. "Influence of artificially aged gas diffusion layers on the water management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells analyzed with in-operando synchrotron imaging," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 502-511.
    13. Guo, Hang & Liu, Xuan & Zhao, Jian Fu & Ye, Fang & Ma, Chong Fang, 2016. "Effect of low gravity on water removal inside proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) with different flow channel configurations," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 926-934.
    14. Xing, Lei & Liu, Xiaoteng & Alaje, Taiwo & Kumar, Ravi & Mamlouk, Mohamed & Scott, Keith, 2014. "A two-phase flow and non-isothermal agglomerate model for a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 618-634.
    15. Tzelepis, Stefanos & Kavadias, Kosmas A. & Marnellos, George E. & Xydis, George, 2021. "A review study on proton exchange membrane fuel cell electrochemical performance focusing on anode and cathode catalyst layer modelling at macroscopic level," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    16. Rahnavard, Aylin & Rowshanzamir, Soosan & Parnian, Mohammad Javad & Amirkhanlou, Gholam Reza, 2015. "The effect of sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) as the electrode ionomer for self-humidifying nanocomposite proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 746-757.
    17. Ozen, Dilek Nur & Timurkutluk, Bora & Altinisik, Kemal, 2016. "Effects of operation temperature and reactant gas humidity levels on performance of PEM fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1298-1306.
    18. Díaz, Manuel Antonio & Iranzo, Alfredo & Rosa, Felipe & Isorna, Fernando & López, Eduardo & Bolivar, Juan Pedro, 2015. "Effect of carbon dioxide on the contamination of low temperature and high temperature PEM (polymer electrolyte membrane) fuel cells. Influence of temperature, relative humidity and analysis of regener," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 90(P1), pages 299-309.
    19. Wu, Horng-Wen, 2016. "A review of recent development: Transport and performance modeling of PEM fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 165(C), pages 81-106.
    20. Zhang, Qian & Lin, Rui & Técher, Ludovic & Cui, Xin, 2016. "Experimental study of variable operating parameters effects on overall PEMFC performance and spatial performance distribution," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 115(P1), pages 550-560.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:111:y:2016:i:c:p:869-883. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.