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Effects of assembly torque on a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with stamped metallic bipolar plates

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  • Chen, Chen-Yu
  • Su, Sheng-Chun

Abstract

In this work, a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with stamped 304 stainless steel bipolar plates is successfully assembled. The total weight of the bipolar plates, membrane electrode assembly and gaskets in the fuel cell is reduced by 37% when replacing milled graphite plates by the stamped 304 stainless steel plates. Moreover, the gas leaking rates and electrochemical characteristics of the fuel cell at different assembly torques are studied. It is found that increasing the torque increases the sealing performance. However, an excess torque (>6 N-m) decreases the power due to a decrease in the porosity and hydrophobicity of the gas diffusion layer, and a deformation of the flow channels in the metallic plate. The pressure loss rate declines by 56% as the torque increases from 2 N-m to 7 N-m. The best performance is obtained at 6 N-m. The cell performance increases by about 21% as the torque increases from 2 N-m to 6 N-m. However, the performance decreases by about 11% as the torque further increases from 6 N-m to 7 N-m. The suspected reason for the above phenomenon is verified via the electrochemical impedance spectroscopies and the microscopic images of the gas diffusion layer.

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  • Chen, Chen-Yu & Su, Sheng-Chun, 2018. "Effects of assembly torque on a proton exchange membrane fuel cell with stamped metallic bipolar plates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 159(C), pages 440-447.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:159:y:2018:i:c:p:440-447
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.06.168
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    Cited by:

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    3. Song, Ke & Wang, Yimin & Ding, Yuhang & Xu, Hongjie & Mueller-Welt, Philip & Stuermlinger, Tobias & Bause, Katharina & Ehrmann, Christopher & Weinmann, Hannes W. & Schaefer, Jens & Fleischer, Juergen , 2022. "Assembly techniques for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack: A literature review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    4. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Yapeng Shang & Tong Zhang, 2022. "Study on the Optimal Cross-Sectional Shapes of the PEMFC Endplates by Using a Moment of Inertia and 3D FEM Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Mao, Xiaoyu & Li, Yifan & Hu, Xiufeng & Tian, Runping & Yu, Wei, 2023. "Expanded graphite (EG)/Ni@Melamine foam (MF)/EG sandwich-structured flexible bipolar plate with excellent electrical conductivity, mechanical properties, and gas permeability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 338(C).
    6. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Tong Zhang, 2022. "Endplate Design and Topology Optimization of Fuel Cell Stack Clamped with Bolts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    7. Saadat, Nazmus & Dhakal, Hom N. & Tjong, Jimi & Jaffer, Shaffiq & Yang, Weimin & Sain, Mohini, 2021. "Recent advances and future perspectives of carbon materials for fuel cell," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 138(C).
    8. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Liang Shi & Tong Zhang, 2022. "A Study of Contact Pressure with Thermo-Mechanical Coupled Action for a Full-Dimensional PEMFC Stack," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(14), pages 1-16, July.
    9. Hao, Wenbin & Ma, Hongyan & Sun, Guoxing & Li, Zongjin, 2019. "Magnesia phosphate cement composite bipolar plates for passive type direct methanol fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 80-87.
    10. 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).
    11. Xing, Shuang & Zhao, Chen & Liu, Wei & Zou, Jiexin & Chen, Ming & Wang, Haijiang, 2021. "Effects of bolt torque and gasket geometric parameters on open-cathode polymer electrolyte fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 303(C).

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