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In-plane design strategy of gas diffusion layer and optimization to improve performance and current distribution uniformity in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

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  • Lim, In Seop
  • Lee, Yeong Ho
  • Lee, Yoo Il
  • Kang, Byeonghyun
  • Park, Jin Young
  • Kim, Min Soo

Abstract

In a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), non-uniform current distribution occurs due to reactant and product concentration changes along the flow direction, which is a barrier for the further development of PEMFC. The barrier cannot be overcome by using a single uniform gas diffusion layer (GDL). Therefore, an in-plane design strategy of GDL is suggested to overcome the barrier, improve performance, and mitigate current distribution non-uniformity. GDL with high water retention capability is used near the reactant gas inlet and GDL with high gas diffusion capability is used near the reactant gas outlet. The electrochemical experiments are conducted by changing the proportion of each GDL in the active area and the optimum case is selected. In the optimum case, a power density is higher up to 5% compared to the PEMFC with a single uniform GDL in low RH and 1.36 A/cm2. The current distribution uniformity is enhanced by up to 75%. Lastly, the effectiveness of the in-plane design strategy is validated in the PEMFC with a large active area, showing about 8% improved performance than the PEMFC with a single uniform GDL.

Suggested Citation

  • Lim, In Seop & Lee, Yeong Ho & Lee, Yoo Il & Kang, Byeonghyun & Park, Jin Young & Kim, Min Soo, 2023. "In-plane design strategy of gas diffusion layer and optimization to improve performance and current distribution uniformity in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 215(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:215:y:2023:i:c:s0960148123007565
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2023.05.123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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