Numerical simulation on the effect of cathode stoichiometric ratio and flow field arrangement on the performance of air-cooled fuel cells

doi:10.11949/0438-1157.20230894

Abstract

Abstract:

The poor performance of air-cooled fuel cells remains a key issue limiting their commercial application. This study used numerical simulation to investigate the effects of cathode oxygen stoichiometric ratio and hydrogen/air arrangement on the performance of air-cooled fuel cell. The results indicate that when the stoichiometric ratio is low, air-cooled fuel cells cannot meet the heat dissipation needs. Increasing the stoichiometric ratio is beneficial for thermal management of air-cooled fuel cells, improving the membrane water content in the membrane electrode and fuel cell performance. In order to ensure the safe operation of air-cooled fuel cells, it is necessary to maintain the operation of air-cooled fuel cells at medium to high stoichiometric ratio. Compared with the hydrogen/air co-current arrangement, the hydrogen/air counter-current arrangement strategy is affected by the dry hydrogen at the anode inlet. The membrane electrode exhibits a local dehydration state, resulting in a slight reduction in performance.

Key words: fuel cells, numerical simulation, stoichiometric ratio, flow field arrangement, water and thermal management

摘要：

风冷燃料电池性能较差仍然是限制其商业化应用的关键问题。采用数值模拟研究了阴极氧气过量系数以及氢/空布置方式对风冷燃料单电池性能的影响。结果表明，阴极过量系数过低时，风冷燃料电池无法满足散热需求，提高过量系数有利于风冷燃料电池热管理，提升膜电极中膜态水含量和电池性能，为了保证风冷燃料电池运行安全，需尽量维持风冷燃料电池运行在中高过量系数。与氢/空顺流布置相比，氢/空逆流布置策略受阳极入口干氢气影响膜电极呈现局部脱水状态，导致性能略微降低。

关键词: 燃料电池, 数值模拟, 过量系数, 流场布置, 水热管理

CLC Number:

TK 121

Ming PENG, Qiangfeng XIA, Lixiang JIANG, Li CHEN, Wenquan TAO. Numerical simulation on the effect of cathode stoichiometric ratio and flow field arrangement on the performance of air-cooled fuel cells[J]. CIESC Journal, 2023, 74(10): 4267-4276.

彭明, 夏强峰, 蒋理想, 陈黎, 陶文铨. 阴极过量系数与流场布置对风冷燃料电池性能影响的数值模拟[J]. 化工学报, 2023, 74(10): 4267-4276.

Figures/Tables 13

Fig.1 Schematic of single air-cooled PEM fuel cell configuration

Table 1 Geometric structural parameters of air-cooled single PEM fuel cell

几何结构	描述	数值/mm
阴极流道	宽度, W_cGC	1.2
	深度, d_cGC	1.4
阳极流道	宽度, W_aGC	0.9
	深度, d_aGC	0.6
扩散层	厚度, δ_GDL	0.25
微孔层	厚度, δ_MPL	0.03
催化层	厚度, δ_CL	0.03
质子交换膜	厚度, δ_MEM	0.025
阴极肋	宽度, W_cBP	1.2
阳极肋	宽度, W_aBP	1.8
极板	长度, L	108
极板	宽度, W	48.6

Fig.2 Schematic of hydrogen/air flow field layout and grid system

Fig.3 Effects of cathode stoichiometric ratio on the current density and cathode outlet temperature

Fig.4 Effects of cathode stoichiometric ratio on the oxygen concentration distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.5 Effects of cathode stoichiometric ratio on the temperature distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.6 Effect of cathode stoichiometric ratio on the membrane water distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.7 Effects of cathode stoichiometric ratio on the current density distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.8 Effect of hydrogen/air arrangement on the current density of air-cooled single fuel cell

Fig.9 Effects of hydrogen/air arrangement on the oxygen concentration distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.10 Effects of hydrogen/air arrangement on the temperature distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.11 Effects of hydrogen/air arrangement on the membrane water distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

Fig.12 Effects of hydrogen/air arrangement on the current density distribution in the cathode catalytic layer

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