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Experimental study on the thermal management of an open-cathode air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack with ultra-thin metal bipolar plates

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  • Chang, Huawei
  • Cai, Fengyang
  • Yu, Xianxian
  • Duan, Chen
  • Chan, Siew Hwa
  • Tu, Zhengkai

Abstract

Reliable thermal management ensures stable and efficient operation of proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. An air-cooled fuel cell stack with metal bipolar plates was developed, and 32 micro-thermocouples were arranged for in situ measurement of the temperature distribution. The resistance characteristic of the stack was tested in a wind tunnel, and then the effects of hydrogen pressure and airflow rate were analyzed. The results show that the highest and average temperatures in the stack exhibit a “parabolic” distribution as well as the maximum temperature difference of each single cell on the inlet side of the cathode. However, the temperature difference on the outlet side shows an “anti-parabolic” distribution. With a decrease in the airflow rate, the temperature uniformity in the stack deteriorates gradually. When the maximum pulse width modulation (PWM) duty cycle of the fans was 70% and the current density was 500 mA/cm2, the temperature difference between different single cells and inside a single cell can reach 19.7 °C and 8.4 °C, respectively. The temperature uniformity in the stack at high current densities could be effectively improved by increasing the airflow rate. In addition, the hydrogen pressure and airflow rate have a certain effect on the voltage consistency.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:263:y:2023:i:pa:s036054422202610x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2022.125724
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Liu, Yang & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2023. "Water management and performance enhancement in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell system using optimized gas recirculation devices," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 279(C).
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