IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v394y2025ics0306261925009171.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Analysis of local current density, temperature, and mechanical pressure distributions in an operating PEMFC under variable compression

Author

Listed:
  • Khetabi, El Mahdi
  • Bouziane, Khadidja
  • François, Xavier
  • Lachat, Remy
  • Meyer, Yann
  • Candusso, Denis

Abstract

This article investigates the impact of mechanical compression on local phenomena within an operating PEMFC with a large active area (225 cm2). It explores the distributions of current density, temperature, and mechanical pressure, building on previous global characterisations (cell voltage, polarisation curves, and EIS). The study finds that mechanical compression (0.35–1.55 MPa) enhances the uniformity of current density and temperature distribution, reducing the risk of hotspots that can impair PEMFC performance and durability. The spatial analysis reveals that this homogenisation effect is mainly due to improved pressure distribution with increased compression. The regions with higher mechanical pressure correlate with higher local current density and temperature, which improves performance by reducing ohmic resistance. However, excessive compression at high current density and relative humidity can lead to water management issues. Overall, the results support the positive effect of pressure homogenisation on PEMFC performance, as observed in previous studies.

Suggested Citation

  • Khetabi, El Mahdi & Bouziane, Khadidja & François, Xavier & Lachat, Remy & Meyer, Yann & Candusso, Denis, 2025. "Analysis of local current density, temperature, and mechanical pressure distributions in an operating PEMFC under variable compression," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 394(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:394:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925009171
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126187
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261925009171
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126187?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:394:y:2025:i:c:s0306261925009171. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.