Diagnostic analysis of a single-cell Proton Exchange Membrane unitised regenerative fuel cell using numerical simulation. (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Arif, Muhammad; Cheung, Sherman C.P.; Andrews, John
• Is Part Of: International journal of hydrogen energy. Volume 46:Number 57(2021)
• Page Start: 29488
• Page End: 29500
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: Diagnostic analysis -- Numerical simulation-based techniques -- Fuel cells -- ANSYS PEM Fuel cell module -- Performance limiting factors; Hydrogen as fuel -- Periodicals; Hydrogène (Combustible) -- Périodiques; Hydrogen as fuel; Periodicals; 665.81
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2020.11.165
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-3199

Abstract

Abstract: Fabrication and testing of Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cells to improve performance is an expensive and time-consuming process. This paper presents a novel procedure for using computer simulation – namely the ANSYS PEM Fuel Cell Module – to identify key performance limiting factors in fuel cell mode of a PEM Unitised Regenerative Fuel cell (URFC) fabricated at RMIT by comparing its performance with a higher performing URFC reported in the literature. The diagnostic analysis is performed in two steps: firstly, changing operating conditions to ensure both cells are compared based on the same conditions; secondly identifying differences in cell properties, specifically catalyst exchange current densities and membrane conductivity. The simulation results show that applying the more optimal operating conditions of the higher performing cell doubled the maximum power of the RMIT cell (from 0.163 W/cm 2 to 0.327 W/cm 2 ). To overcome the remaining performance deficit in the ohmic polarization region, the value of the protonic conduction coefficient in the modelled RMIT cell had to be increased. Overall the study indicates that computer simulation modelling, in conjunction with carefully focussed experiments, can be a very useful tool in diagnosing fuel-cell performance problems. Highlights: Diagnostic analysis through simulation modelling of a PEM URFC in fuel cell mode. Higher cell temperature evaporates liquid water and reduces concentration losses. More humid inlet gasses keep membrane hydrated and enhance membrane conductivity. Higher stoichiometry of inlet gasses prevents cell starvation at higher currents. Degradation of membrane identified as remaining cause of low performance.