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Study on the metal foam flow field with porosity gradient in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

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  • Kang, Dong Gyun
  • Lee, Dong Keun
  • Choi, Jong Min
  • Shin, Dong Kyu
  • Kim, Min Soo

Abstract

It is significant to have locally non-uniform designs in the flow fields since distributions of the current density, temperature, gas, and water concentration are usually non-uniform along the flow path in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. In this study, we introduce and use several different metal foam flow fields with different porosity gradients as flow distributors in the fuel cell. By evaluating and analyzing polarization curve, power curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy test results, we verify that the tailored porosity gradient in the metal foam flow field has positive impacts the performance of the fuel cell. Maximum power density of the fuel cell with proper porosity gradient in the metal foam flow field increased by 8.23% compared with the conventional metal foam flow field without porosity gradient. In conclusion, we not only explain why proper porosity gradient in the metal foam flow field makes the performance of the fuel cell improve, but also investigate the performance enhancement in the system net power aspect.

Suggested Citation

  • Kang, Dong Gyun & Lee, Dong Keun & Choi, Jong Min & Shin, Dong Kyu & Kim, Min Soo, 2020. "Study on the metal foam flow field with porosity gradient in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C), pages 931-941.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:156:y:2020:i:c:p:931-941
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2020.04.142
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kang, Dong Gyun & Shin, Dong Kyu & Kim, Sunjin & Kim, Min Soo, 2019. "Experimental study on the performance improvement of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell with dual air supply," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 669-677.
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    4. Yuan, Wei & Tang, Yong & Yang, Xiaojun & Wan, Zhenping, 2012. "Porous metal materials for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells – A review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 94(C), pages 309-329.
    5. Kong, Im Mo & Jung, Aeri & Kim, Young Sang & Kim, Min Soo, 2017. "Numerical investigation on double gas diffusion backing layer functionalized on water removal in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 478-487.
    6. Baik, Kyung Don & Seo, Il Sung, 2018. "Metallic bipolar plate with a multi-hole structure in the rib regions for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 333-339.
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    Cited by:

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    2. 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).
    3. Jadhav, Prakash H. & Gnanasekaran, N. & Mobedi, Moghtada, 2023. "Analysis of functionally graded metal foams for the accomplishment of heat transfer enhancement under partially filled condition in a heat exchanger," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PA).
    4. Hyesoo Jang & Myoung-Hwan Kim & Sang-Kyun Park & Yul-Seong Kim & Byung Chul Choi, 2020. "Simulation of Heat and Mass Transfer Characteristics for the Optimal Operating Conditions of a Gas-to-Gas Membrane Humidifier with Porous Metal Foam," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-19, October.
    5. Sun, Feng & Su, Dandan & Li, Ping & Lin, Fanxin & Miu, Guodong & Wan, Qi & Yin, Yujie, 2024. "Effects of three-dimensional type flow fields on mass transfer and performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 295(C).
    6. Kermani, M.J. & Moein-Jahromi, M. & Hasheminasab, M.R. & Ebrahimi, F. & Wei, L. & Guo, J. & Jiang, F.M., 2022. "Application of a foam-based functionally graded porous material flow-distributor to PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 254(PB).
    7. Qiu, Diankai & Peng, Linfa & Yi, Peiyun & Lehnert, Werner & Lai, Xinmin, 2021. "Review on proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack assembly: Quality evaluation, assembly method, contact behavior and process design," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. Lian, Yunsong & Zhu, Zhengchao & You, Changtang & Lin, Liangliang & Lin, Fengtian & Lin, Le & Huang, Yating & Zhou, Wei, 2023. "Structural optimization of fiber porous self-humidifying flow field plates applied to proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 271(C).
    9. Jianguo Zhao & Zihan Lin & Mingjue Zhou, 2022. "Three-Dimensional Modeling and Performance Study of High Temperature Solid Oxide Electrolysis Cell with Metal Foam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.
    10. Wu, Ze & Li, Xiao-Lei & Chen, Xue & Xia, Xin-Lin, 2024. "Performance evaluation of a partially-filled porous foam cylindrical tubular receiver realizing Ni foam material reduction," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 226(C).
    11. Chen, Xi & Yang, Chen & Sun, Yun & Liu, Qinxiao & Wan, Zhongmin & Kong, Xiangzhong & Tu, Zhengkai & Wang, Xiaodong, 2022. "Water management and structure optimization study of nickel metal foam as flow distributors in proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).

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