Parametric sensitivity analysis on the cold start process of a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell. (25th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Niu, Huipeng; Ji, Changwei; Wang, Shuofeng; Wang, Du; Bai, Yongyi; Liang, Chen
• Is Part Of: International journal of energy research. Volume 45:Number 4(2021)
• Page Start: 5629
• Page End: 5648
• Publication Date: 2020-11-25
• Subjects: cold start -- parameters -- PEMFC -- sensitivity analysis; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Power resources -- Research -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1002/er.6189
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-907X

Abstract

Summary: Subzero start‐up of the polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) is one of the most challenging tasks to be solved before commercialization. During the subzero start‐up process, water generated in the oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode side of PEMFC is susceptible to freeze，which makes active sites covered by the ice and gases failed to reach the surface of the catalyst layer (CL), leading to a substantial decay and even ending up with a failure of the start‐up. Given that many factors affect the cold start process, the relative contribution of the essential factors on the cold start process is independently analyzed using first‐order finite‐difference sensitivity analysis from −20°C to −30°C. The effect of essential parameters on the cold start process is quantified. The investigated parameters include the ratio of bipolar plate (BP) thickness to that of the CL ( R BP / CL ), the starting voltage ( V ini ), stoichiometry ratios, inlet gas temperature ( T in ), the porosity of the CL ( ε CL ), initial membrane water content ( λ ini ), membrane thickness ( θ mem ), the volume fraction of ionomer ( ω CL ) in CLs, and the heat capacity of the BP ( ρc pBP ). Results show that the cold start process is most sensitive to R BP / CL and λ ini . Significant improvement of cold start performance can be achieved by appropriately adjusting R BP / CL, λ ini, T in, and ε CL . Appropriately increasing the V ini also can be a method to improve cold start performance, especially for the cold start from −30°C. Besides, optimized ω CL in CLs, proper θ mem, and lower ρc pBP can contribute to better performance, especially for the cold start from −20°C. Abstract : Finite difference sensitivity is used to analyze the effect of essential factors on the cold start process of a PEMFC by a 3‐D multi‐phase electrochemical transport coupled model in this study. Results show that the cold start process is most sensitive to R BP/CL and λ ini . Effective improvement of cold start performance can be achieved by appropriately adjusting R BP/CL, λ ini, and T in . Appropriately increasing the V ini also can be a method to improve cold start performance, especially for the cold start from −30°C. Besides, optimized ω CL in CLs, proper θ mem, and lower ρ c p BP can contribute to better performance, especially for the cold start from −20°C.