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Impact analysis of MPL and PEM thickness on temperature distribution within PEFC operating at relatively higher temperature

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  • Nishimura, Akira
  • Yamamoto, Kohei
  • Okado, Tatsuya
  • Kojima, Yuya
  • Hirota, Masafumi
  • Kolhe, Mohan Lal

Abstract

In Japan, it is recommended to operate Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) at temperature around 90 °C for stationary applications during the period from 2020 to 2025. However, the present PEFC is using Nafion polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) and operated within the temperature range from 60 °C to 80 °C. It is important to understand the temperature distribution in a cell of PEFC for improving the performance and to realize the long life span. This study focuses on use of micro porous layer (MPL), which can promote the moisture transfer in order to control the temperature distribution. The aim of this study is to analyze the impact of MPL on temperature distribution at reaction surface in single cell of PEFC during the variations of flow rates and relative humidity of supply gases. In the operation, relatively higher temperature 90 °C is maintained and analyzed through the heat transfer model. This study also investigates the impact of PEM thickness on the temperature distribution comparing the conditions with and without MPL. As a result, it is proposed that the combination of thinner PEM and MPL can be effective to manage temperature distribution uniformly, and obtain better PEFC performance at relatively higher temperature operation.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:205:y:2020:i:c:s0360544220309828
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2020.117875
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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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    3. 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.
    4. Thomas, Sobi & Vang, Jakob Rabjerg & Araya, Samuel Simon & Kær, Søren Knudsen, 2017. "Experimental study to distinguish the effects of methanol slip and water vapour on a high temperature PEM fuel cell at different operating conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 192(C), pages 422-436.
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    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 & 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.
    3. Yang, Luo & Nik-Ghazali, Nik-Nazri & Ali, Mohammed A.H. & Chong, Wen Tong & Yang, Zhenzhong & Liu, Haichao, 2023. "A review on thermal management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Temperature distribution and control," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    4. Saka, Kenan & Orhan, Mehmet Fatih, 2022. "Analysis of stack operating conditions for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 258(C).
    5. Zhang, Jingjing & Wang, Biao & Jin, Junhong & Yang, Shenglin & Li, Guang, 2022. "A review of the microporous layer in proton exchange membrane fuel cells: Materials and structural designs based on water transport mechanism," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    6. Li, Qingshan & Wang, Chenfang & Wang, Chunmei & Zhou, Taotao & Zhang, Xianwen & Zhang, Yangjun & Zhuge, Weilin & Sun, Li, 2023. "Comparison of organic coolants for boiling cooling of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 266(C).
    7. Akira Nishimura & Kyohei Toyoda & Daiki Mishima & Syogo Ito & Eric Hu, 2022. "Numerical Analysis on Impact of Thickness of PEM and GDL with and without MPL on Coupling Phenomena in PEFC Operated at Higher Temperature Such as 363 K and 373 K," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-31, August.

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