article · Energy Nexus
Numerical modelling offers insight into the operating dynamics and design parameters of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Using three-dimensional, isothermal, steady-state simulations validated against experimental data at 180°C, the investigation evaluates reactant gas transport, diffusion through catalyst layers, water and ion movement, and electrical current flow. Performance peaks under specific operating parameters, identifying an optimal inlet hydrogen velocity of 0.12 metres per second, an inlet air velocity of 1.2 metres per second, and a proton conductivity of 9.825 siemens per metre. Parallel finite element analyses explore serpentine flow-field configurations to assess sustainability, focusing on the optimisation of membrane electrode assemblies. The findings highlight the dominant influence of reactant inlet velocities on internal gas distributions, current densities, and overall cell efficiency.
High-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells provide clean energy conversion, but their efficiency relies heavily on balanced fluid and charge transport. Identifying precise reactant velocities and conductivity parameters helps engineers understand internal operational trade-offs. This simulation framework provides a verified baseline at 180°C, aiding the physical design and flow management of cleaner power-generation systems.
This work is relevant to fuel cell developers and membrane electrode assembly designers seeking to refine flow-field architectures and inlet controls. Because the results are based on computational fluid dynamics simulations validated against laboratory test data at 180°C, the work sits at an early stage of research. The reported velocity and conductivity benchmarks can inform prototyping parameters for high-temperature clean energy hardware.
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This study focuses on investigating the performance dynamics of high-temperature Proton Exchange Membrane fuel cells, with an emphasis on critical design parameters. Utilizing a comprehensive mathematical model, the research explores concentration profiles, current density profiles, and polarization curves within a three-dimensional, isothermal, steady-state PEM fuel cell. The model incorporates the intricate processes of gas transport in anode and cathode channels, diffusion in catalyst layers, and the transport of water and hydronium ions in both the polymer electrolyte and catalyst layers. Additionally, it accounts for electrical current transport in the solid phase. Simulations conducted with Comsol Multiphysics 6.1 demonstrate a robust alignment between model results and experimental polarization data obtained at 180°C. Optimal conditions for performance are outlined, specifying an inlet hydrogen gas velocity of 0.12 m/s and an inlet air velocity of 1.2 m/s, with consideration for a proton conductivity of 9.825 S/m. In a parallel investigation, numerical analysis assesses the sustainability of Serpentine Flow-Field PEM fuel cells, using critical parameters. The model applied in this research considers gas, water, and electrical current transport across various layers of the fuel cell, with a crucial focus on optimizing the membrane electrode assembly's design. The finite element method and ANSYS Fluent are employed for model solution. This study contributes significantly to the understanding of HT-PEM fuel cell dynamics, providing insights into the interdependencies of design parameters and their impact on system performance. The study emphasizes the pivotal roles of air and hydrogen inlet velocities in shaping fuel cell performance, elucidating the intricate dynamics dictating reactant distributions within diverse cell components.
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DOI: 10.1016/j.nexus.2024.100283
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