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Analysis of the system efficiency of an intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell at elevated temperature and relative humidity conditions

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  • Jeon, Seung Won
  • Cha, Dowon
  • Kim, Hyung Soon
  • Kim, Yongchan

Abstract

Humidification of the membrane is very important in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), to maintain high ionic conductivity. At an elevated temperature, a large amount of thermal energy is required for humidification because of the exponentially increased saturation vapor pressure. In this study, the system efficiency of a PEMFC was evaluated by considering the heat required for preheating/humidification and compression work. Three-dimensional steady-state simulations were conducted using Fluent 14 to simulate the electrochemical reactions. The operating conditions were optimized using response surface methodology by considering both the fuel cell output and system efficiency. In addition, the effects of operating parameters such as the temperature, relative humidity, and stoichiometric ratio were investigated. The system efficiency can be improved more effectively by increasing relative humidity rather than increasing operating temperature because the ionic conductivity of the membrane was strongly influenced by the relative humidity.

Suggested Citation

  • Jeon, Seung Won & Cha, Dowon & Kim, Hyung Soon & Kim, Yongchan, 2016. "Analysis of the system efficiency of an intermediate temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell at elevated temperature and relative humidity conditions," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 166(C), pages 165-173.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:166:y:2016:i:c:p:165-173
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.12.123
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Yang, Wonseok & Cha, Dowon & Kim, Yongchan, 2019. "Effects of flow direction on dynamic response and stability of nonhumidification PEM fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(C), pages 386-395.
    2. Bai, Fan & Quan, Hong-Bing & Yin, Ren-Jie & Zhang, Zhuo & Jin, Shu-Qi & He, Pu & Mu, Yu-Tong & Gong, Xiao-Ming & Tao, Wen-Quan, 2022. "Three-dimensional multi-field digital twin technology for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 324(C).
    3. Tan, P. & Shyy, W. & Zhao, T.S. & Zhang, R.H. & Zhu, X.B., 2016. "Effects of moist air on the cycling performance of non-aqueous lithium-air batteries," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C), pages 569-575.
    4. Martin, S. & Garcia-Ybarra, P.L. & Castillo, J.L., 2017. "Long-term operation of a proton exchange membrane fuel cell without external humidification," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 205(C), pages 1012-1020.
    5. Liu, Yongfeng & Fan, Lei & Pei, Pucheng & Yao, Shengzhuo & Wang, Fang, 2018. "Asymptotic analysis for the inlet relative humidity effects on the performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 213(C), pages 573-584.
    6. Zhang, Jikai & Wang, Changjian & Zhang, Aifeng, 2022. "Experimental study on temperature and performance of an open-cathode PEMFC stack under thermal radiation environment," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 311(C).

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