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Single- and Double-Sided Coated Gas Diffusion Layers Used in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: A Numerical Study

Author

Listed:
  • Isaac C. Okereke

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK
    Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Akwa Ibom State University, Mkpat Enin 524106, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria)

  • Mohammed S. Ismail

    (School of Engineering, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, UK)

  • Derek B. Ingham

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

  • Kevin Hughes

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

  • Lin Ma

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

  • Mohamed Pourkashanian

    (Energy Institute, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK
    Translational Energy Research Centre, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield S3 7RD, UK)

Abstract

A new three-dimensional numerical model of a polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFC) with a single straight channel was developed to primarily investigate the important impact of the double-sided microporous layer (MPL) coating on the overall performance of the fuel cell and the distribution of the current and the oxygen concentration within the cathode gas diffusion layers (GDLs). Realistic experimentally estimated interfacial contact resistance values between the gas diffusion layer and each of the bipolar plates and the catalyst layer values were incorporated into the model, and parametric studies were performed. The results showed that the double-sided MPL coating could significantly improve the fuel cell performance by up to 30%. Additionally, it was shown that the neglect of the contact resistance between the MPL and the catalyst layer could overestimate the fuel cell performance by up to 6%. In addition, the results showed that the fuel cell performance and the distribution of the current and oxygen are more sensitive to the porosity of the MPL facing the bipolar plate than the porosity of the MPL facing the catalyst layer. All the above results are presented and critically discussed in detail.

Suggested Citation

  • Isaac C. Okereke & Mohammed S. Ismail & Derek B. Ingham & Kevin Hughes & Lin Ma & Mohamed Pourkashanian, 2023. "Single- and Double-Sided Coated Gas Diffusion Layers Used in Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cells: A Numerical Study," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-16, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:11:p:4363-:d:1157243
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Atyabi, Seyed Ali & Afshari, Ebrahim & Wongwises, Somchai & Yan, Wen-Mon & Hadjadj, Abdellah & Shadloo, Mostafa Safdari, 2019. "Effects of assembly pressure on PEM fuel cell performance by taking into accounts electrical and thermal contact resistances," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 490-501.
    2. Ismail, M.S. & Hughes, K.J. & Ingham, D.B. & Ma, L. & Pourkashanian, M., 2012. "Effects of anisotropic permeability and electrical conductivity of gas diffusion layers on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 95(C), pages 50-63.
    3. Bouziane, Khadidja & Khetabi, El Mahdi & Lachat, Rémy & Zamel, Nada & Meyer, Yann & Candusso, Denis, 2020. "Impact of cyclic mechanical compression on the electrical contact resistance between the gas diffusion layer and the bipolar plate of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 349-361.
    4. Lee, F.C. & Ismail, M.S. & Ingham, D.B. & Hughes, K.J. & Ma, L & Lyth, S.M. & Pourkashanian, M., 2022. "Alternative architectures and materials for PEMFC gas diffusion layers: A review and outlook," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 166(C).
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