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Investigation of the Fuel Utilization Factor in PEM Fuel Cell Considering the Effect of Relative Humidity at the Cathode

Author

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  • Mojtaba Baghban Yousefkhani

    (Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Tehran 4777-14155, Iran)

  • Hossein Ghadamian

    (Department of Energy, Materials and Energy Research Center (MERC), Tehran 4777-14155, Iran)

  • Keyvan Daneshvar

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA)

  • Nima Alizadeh

    (Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch (SRBIAU), Tehran 775-14515, Iran)

  • Brendy C. Rincon Troconis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Texas at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78249, USA)

Abstract

This research consists of both theoretical and experimental sections presenting a novel scenario for the consumption of hydrogen in the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC). In the theory section, a new correction factor called parameter δ is used for the calculation of fuel utilization by introducing concepts of “useful water” and “non-useful water”. The term of “useful water” refers to the state that consumed hydrogen leads to the production of liquid water and external electric current. In the experimental section, the effect of the relative humidity of the cathode side on the performance and power density is investigated by calculating the parameter δ and the modified fuel utilization at 50% and 80% relative humidity. Based on the experimental results, the maximum power density obtained at 50% and 80% relative humidity of the cathode side is about 645 mW/cm 2 and 700 mW/cm 2 , respectively. On the other hand, the maximum value of parameter δ for a value of 50% relative humidity in the cathode side is about 0.88, while for 80% relative humidity it is about 0.72. This means that the modified fuel utilization for 50% relative humidity has a higher value than that for 80%, which is not aligned with previous literature. Therefore, it is necessary to find an optimal range for the relative humidity of the cathode side to achieve the best cell performance in terms of the power generation and fuel consumption as increasing the relative humidity of the cathode itself cannot produce the best result.

Suggested Citation

  • Mojtaba Baghban Yousefkhani & Hossein Ghadamian & Keyvan Daneshvar & Nima Alizadeh & Brendy C. Rincon Troconis, 2020. "Investigation of the Fuel Utilization Factor in PEM Fuel Cell Considering the Effect of Relative Humidity at the Cathode," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-11, November.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:22:p:6117-:d:449164
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Hasheminasab, M. & Kermani, M.J. & Nourazar, S.S. & Khodsiani, M.H., 2020. "A novel experimental based statistical study for water management in proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    2. Iranzo, Alfredo & Boillat, Pierre & Biesdorf, Johannes & Salva, Antonio, 2015. "Investigation of the liquid water distributions in a 50 cm2 PEM fuel cell: Effects of reactants relative humidity, current density, and cathode stoichiometry," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 914-921.
    3. Ozen, Dilek Nur & Timurkutluk, Bora & Altinisik, Kemal, 2016. "Effects of operation temperature and reactant gas humidity levels on performance of PEM fuel cells," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 1298-1306.
    4. Abdollahzadeh, M. & Pascoa, J.C. & Ranjbar, A.A. & Esmaili, Q., 2014. "Analysis of PEM (Polymer Electrolyte Membrane) fuel cell cathode two-dimensional modeling," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 478-494.
    5. Wang, Bowen & Wu, Kangcheng & Xi, Fuqiang & Xuan, Jin & Xie, Xu & Wang, Xiaoyang & Jiao, Kui, 2019. "Numerical analysis of operating conditions effects on PEMFC with anode recirculation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 844-856.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hoang Nghia Vu & Xuan Linh Nguyen & Sangseok Yu, 2022. "A Lumped-Mass Model of Membrane Humidifier for PEMFC," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-16, March.
    2. Luca Del Zotto & Andrea Monforti Ferrario & Arda Hatunoglu & Alessandro Dell’Era & Stephen McPhail & Enrico Bocci, 2021. "Experimental Procedures & First Results of an Innovative Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Test Rig: Parametric Analysis and Stability Test," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Yuzhen Xia & Hangwei Lei & Xiaojun Wu & Guilin Hu & Hao Pan & Baizeng Fang, 2023. "Design of New Test System for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(2), pages 1-11, January.

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