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Thermal management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A review of cooling methods, material properties, and durability

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  • Chen, Qin
  • Zhang, Guobin
  • Zhang, Xuzhong
  • Sun, Cheng
  • Jiao, Kui
  • Wang, Yun

Abstract

Proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells are a promising electrochemical energy converter with an energy efficiency as high as 60%. Thermal management plays an important role in PEM fuel cell operation. In this review, recent progress in thermal management is summarized with in-depth discussion on the waste heat generation mechanisms, thermal analysis, non-isothermal two-phase flow, cooling methods, cold starts, and relevant material properties and durability. Due to low operating temperature (~80 °C), cooling PEM fuel cell stacks is much more challenging than traditional combustion engines. Various cooling methods are discussed and compared, along with the cooling strategies implemented in fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs). A challenging subject is to couple the thermal and water managements, such as non-isothermal two-phase flow, heat pipe effect, and two-phase interface dynamics. Cold start, i.e. startup from subfreezing condition, is discussed with in-depth analysis of key parameters regarding ice formation/melt and cold-start capability. Degradation, such as delamination and electrochemical active surface area (ECSA) loss during thermal, humidity and freeze/thaw cycles, is also briefly reviewed. Future work is proposed to further advance thermal management for PEM fuel cells.

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  • Chen, Qin & Zhang, Guobin & Zhang, Xuzhong & Sun, Cheng & Jiao, Kui & Wang, Yun, 2021. "Thermal management of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells: A review of cooling methods, material properties, and durability," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 286(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:286:y:2021:i:c:s030626192100057x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116496
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    Cited by:

    1. Bai, Xingying & Jian, Qifei, 2023. "Experimental study of a passive thermal management system using vapor chamber for proton exchange membrane fuel cell stack," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 216(C).
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    3. Shantanu Pardhi & Sajib Chakraborty & Dai-Duong Tran & Mohamed El Baghdadi & Steven Wilkins & Omar Hegazy, 2022. "A Review of Fuel Cell Powertrains for Long-Haul Heavy-Duty Vehicles: Technology, Hydrogen, Energy and Thermal Management Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(24), pages 1-55, December.
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    5. Jessie R. Smith & Savvas Gkantonas & Epaminondas Mastorakos, 2022. "Modelling of Boil-Off and Sloshing Relevant to Future Liquid Hydrogen Carriers," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(6), pages 1-32, March.
    6. Yang, Liu & Cao, Chenxi & Gan, Quanquan & Pei, Hao & Zhang, Qi & Li, Ping, 2022. "Revealing failure modes and effect of catalyst layer properties for PEM fuel cell cold start using an agglomerate model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 312(C).
    7. Chen, Fengxiang & Pei, Yaowang & Jiao, Jieran & Chi, Xuncheng & Hou, Zhongjun, 2023. "Energy flow and thermal voltage analysis of water-cooled PEMFC stack under normal operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    8. Ahmed Mohmed Dafalla & Lin Wei & Bereket Tsegai Habte & Jian Guo & Fangming Jiang, 2022. "Membrane Electrode Assembly Degradation Modeling of Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-26, December.
    9. Atak, Nisa Nur & Dogan, Battal & Yesilyurt, Murat Kadir, 2023. "Investigation of the performance parameters for a PEMFC by thermodynamic analyses: Effects of operating temperature and pressure," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    10. Jia, Fei & Tian, Xiaodi & Liu, Fengfeng & Ye, Junjie & Yang, Chengpeng, 2023. "Oxidant starvation under various operating conditions on local and transient performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 331(C).
    11. Ma, Yan & Hu, Fuyuan & Hu, Yunfeng, 2023. "Energy efficiency improvement of intelligent fuel cell/battery hybrid vehicles through an integrated management strategy," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 263(PE).
    12. Viviana Cigolotti & Matteo Genovese & Petronilla Fragiacomo, 2021. "Comprehensive Review on Fuel Cell Technology for Stationary Applications as Sustainable and Efficient Poly-Generation Energy Systems," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-28, August.
    13. Xu, Jiamin & Zhang, Caizhi & Wan, Zhongmin & Chen, Xi & Chan, Siew Hwa & Tu, Zhengkai, 2022. "Progress and perspectives of integrated thermal management systems in PEM fuel cell vehicles: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    14. Chu, Tiankuo & Xie, Meng & Yu, Yue & Wang, Baoyun & Yang, Daijun & Li, Bing & Ming, Pingwen & Zhang, Cunman, 2022. "Experimental study of the influence of dynamic load cycle and operating parameters on the durability of PEMFC," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PD).
    15. Zhao, Lei & Yuan, Hao & Xie, Jiaping & Jiang, Shangfeng & Wei, Xuezhe & Tang, Wei & Ming, Pingwen & Dai, Haifeng, 2023. "Inconsistency evaluation of vehicle-oriented fuel cell stacks based on electrochemical impedance under dynamic operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 265(C).
    16. Zhao, Junjie & Chang, Huawei & Luo, Xiaobing & Tu, Zhengkai & Chan, Siew Hwa, 2022. "Dynamic analysis of a CCHP system based on fuel cells integrated with methanol-reforming and dehumidification for data centers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 309(C).
    17. Jiao, Daokuan & Jiao, Kui & Zhong, Shenghui & Du, Qing, 2022. "Investigations on heat and mass transfer in gas diffusion layers of PEMFC with a gas–liquid-solid coupled model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 316(C).
    18. Wan, Zhongmin & Yan, Hanzhang & Sun, Yun & Yang, Chen & Chen, Xi & Kong, Xiangzhong & Chen, Yiyu & Tu, Zhengkai & Wang, Xiaodong, 2023. "Thermal management improvement of air-cooled proton exchange membrane fuel cell by using metal foam flow field," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 333(C).
    19. Chen, Dongfang & Pei, Pucheng & Meng, Yining & Ren, Peng & Li, Yuehua & Wang, Mingkai & Wang, Xizhong, 2022. "Novel extraction method of working condition spectrum for the lifetime prediction and energy management strategy evaluation of automotive fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 255(C).
    20. Chu, Tiankuo & Tang, Qianwen & Wang, Qinpu & Wang, Yanbo & Du, Hong & Guo, YuQing & Li, Bing & Yang, Daijun & Ming, Pingwen & Zhang, Cunman, 2023. "Experimental study on the effect of flow channel parameters on the durability of PEMFC stack and analysis of hydrogen crossover mechanism," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 264(C).
    21. Antonio Nicolò Mancino & Carla Menale & Francesco Vellucci & Manlio Pasquali & Roberto Bubbico, 2023. "PEM Fuel Cell Applications in Road Transport," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-27, August.

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