An experimental study on the bubble humidification method of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Issue 12 (18th June 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ahmaditaba, Amir Hossein; Afshari, Ebrahim; Asghari, Saeed
• Is Part Of: Energy sources. Volume 40:Issue 12(2018)
• Page Start: 1508
• Page End: 1519
• Publication Date: 2018-06-18
• Subjects: Bubble humidifier -- dew point -- experimental setup -- PEMFC -- relative humidity; Natural resources -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Climatic factors -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Environment aspects -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1080/15567036.2018.1477877
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1556-7036

Abstract

ABSTRACT: A necessary requirement for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) performance is providing sufficient water content in the membrane. The bubble humidifier is the simplest and inexpensive method for PEMFC humidification. In this study, a prototype of bubble humidifier is designed, fabricated, and tested. The effects of water temperature in the reservoir, water level inside the reservoir and inlet air flow on the humidifier performance are investigated. The results show that the outlet air relative humidity decreases (about 6% - 11%) with an increase in the inlet air flow rate from 1 m 3 h −1 to 3 m 3 h −1 at four different water temperatures. The increase in the water temperature and water level inside the reservoir lead to the better humidifier performance. At the water temperature of 20 ° C, increasing water level from 5 cm to 7.5 cm has a significant effect on humidifier performance but increasing water level from 7.5 cm to 15 cm does not offer any advantage.