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A novel cooperative design with optimized flow field on bipolar plates and hybrid wettability gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane unitized regenerative fuel cell

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  • Zhang, Zhonghao
  • Guo, Mengdi
  • Yu, Zhonghao
  • Yao, Siyue
  • Wang, Jin
  • Qiu, Diankai
  • Peng, Linfa

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane unitized regenerative fuel cell (PEM-URFC), as a novel electrochemical device which combines fuel cell (FC) and water electrolyzer (WE), is gradually being recognized as promising power source with reduction of size and cost. Unsatisfying mass transfer ability under the two adverse modes is the main factor hindering the commercialization of URFC, which calls for a bifunctional cell structure. In this study, a novel cooperative design with interdigitated flow field on bipolar plate (BPP) and a hydrophilic-hydrophobic alternative gas diffusion layer (GDL) is proposed to compose a new means of mass transfer under both working modes. Cells made up with different combinations of BPPs and GDLs are tested to confirm the usefulness of the new design. The cell with the optimized structure shows great progress in performance. The current density increases by 11.5% under FC mode and 4.8% under WE mode. EIS test and GDL's structure measurement are also carried out to further explain the working principle of the positive effect made by the new system on the cell. It is also found that the novel design of the URFC in this study has great adaptability to various operating conditions based on the stability test.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Zhonghao & Guo, Mengdi & Yu, Zhonghao & Yao, Siyue & Wang, Jin & Qiu, Diankai & Peng, Linfa, 2022. "A novel cooperative design with optimized flow field on bipolar plates and hybrid wettability gas diffusion layer for proton exchange membrane unitized regenerative fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:239:y:2022:i:pd:s0360544221026244
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2021.122375
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Bai, Xingying & Luo, Lizhong & Huang, Bi & Jian, Qifei & Cheng, Zongyi, 2022. "Performance improvement of proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack by dual-path hydrogen supply," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 246(C).
    3. Chen, Chaogang & Gao, Yuan, 2024. "Using multi-threshold non-local means joint distribution method to analysis the spatial distribution patterns of binder and fibers in gas diffusion layers of fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 358(C).
    4. Chang, Huawei & Cai, Fengyang & Yu, Xianxian & Duan, Chen & Chan, Siew Hwa & Tu, Zhengkai, 2023. "Experimental study on the thermal management of an open-cathode air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultra-thin metal bipolar plates," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).

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