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Review on proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack assembly: Quality evaluation, assembly method, contact behavior and process design

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  • Qiu, Diankai
  • Peng, Linfa
  • Yi, Peiyun
  • Lehnert, Werner
  • Lai, Xinmin

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are ideal power sources with great potential for automobiles, backup power systems and stationary applications, owing to high efficiency, zero emissions and high power density. For these devices with large power consumption, many unit cells are assembled in series to construct a stack to provide the required voltage and power. However, the assembly process remains a major obstacle to the large-scale deployment of high-power stack. The performance and durability of stacks are greatly affected by the assembly procedures, and the impact mechanism and assembly technique need to be fully understanding. This paper presents an overview of important issues related to the assembly process of fuel cell stacks, providing a basis for engineers and researchers to improve stack performance. It begins with a description of quality evaluation of the stack assembly, followed by assembly methods to clarify the history of the development of stack design. The main contributions to in-situ behavior of stack during the assembly compression and dynamic compression is presented in detail. Numerical methods and optimization techniques are analyzed to guide assembly process. Finally, novel stack designs involving the assembly process are sorted out. A summary of the key points in this area is also provided as a direction for future work. The aim of this paper is to evaluate which factors affect the cell performance during assembly process and how adverse effects should be mitigated via mechanism analysis, quality evaluation, assembly method selection, process optimization and novel stack structure design.

Suggested Citation

  • 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).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:152:y:2021:i:c:s1364032121009357
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2021.111660
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhiming Zhang & Sai Wu & Kunpeng Li & Jiaming Zhou & Caizhi Zhang & Guofeng Wang & Tong Zhang, 2022. "An Effective Force-Temperature-Humidity Coupled Modeling for PEMFC Performance Parameter Matching by Using CFD and FEA Co-Simulation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-18, November.
    2. Zhiming Zhang & Jun Zhang & Tong Zhang, 2022. "Endplate Design and Topology Optimization of Fuel Cell Stack Clamped with Bolts," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-13, April.
    3. Zhiming Zhang & Hui Ren & Song Hu & Xinfeng Zhang & Tong Zhang & Jiaming Zhou & Shangfeng Jiang & Tao Yu & Bo Deng, 2022. "Arrangement of Belleville Springs on Endplates Combined with Optimal Cross-Sectional Shape in PEMFC Stack Using Equivalent Beam Modeling and FEA," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-13, November.
    4. Lu, Guolong & Liu, Mingxin & Su, Xunkang & Zheng, Tongxi & Luan, Yang & Fan, Wenxuan & Cui, Hao & Liu, Zhenning, 2024. "Study on counter-flow mass transfer characteristics and performance optimization of commercial large-scale proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 359(C).
    5. Yuemeng Zhang & Jia Wang & Zhanhui Yao, 2023. "Recent Development of Fuel Cell Core Components and Key Materials: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-23, February.

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