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Effects of porosity gradient in gas diffusion layers on performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells

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  • Huang, Yu-Xian
  • Cheng, Chin-Hsiang
  • Wang, Xiao-Dong
  • Jang, Jiin-Yuh

Abstract

A three-dimensional, two-phase, non-isothermal model has been developed to explore the interaction between heat and water transport in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs). Water condensate produced from the electrochemical reaction may accumulate in the open pores of the gas diffusion layer (GDL) and retard the oxygen transport to the catalyst sites. This study predicts the enhancement of the water transport for linear porosity gradient in the cathode GDL of a PEMFC. An optimal porosity distribution was found based on a parametric study. Results show that a optimal linear porosity gradient with ɛ1 = 0.7 and ɛ2 = 0.3 for the parallel and z-serpentine channel design leads to a maximum increase in the limiting current density from 10,696 Am−2 to 13,136 Am−2 and 14,053 Am−2 to 16,616 Am−2 at 0.49 V, respectively. On the other hand, the oxygen usage also increases from 36% to 46% for the parallel channel design and from 55% to 67% for the z-serpentine channel design. The formation of a porosity gradient in the GDL enhances the capillary diffusivity, increases the electrical conductivity, and hence, benefits the oxygen transport throughout the GDL. The present study provides a theoretical support for existing reports that a GDL with a gradient porosity improves cell performance.

Suggested Citation

  • Huang, Yu-Xian & Cheng, Chin-Hsiang & Wang, Xiao-Dong & Jang, Jiin-Yuh, 2010. "Effects of porosity gradient in gas diffusion layers on performance of proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(12), pages 4786-4794.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:energy:v:35:y:2010:i:12:p:4786-4794
    DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2010.09.011
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    1. Thepkaew, Jarupuk & Therdthianwong, Apichai & Therdthianwong, Supaporn, 2008. "Key parameters of active layers affecting proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell performance," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 33(12), pages 1794-1800.
    2. Therdthianwong, Apichai & Manomayidthikarn, Phochan & Therdthianwong, Supaporn, 2007. "Investigation of membrane electrode assembly (MEA) hot-pressing parameters for proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 32(12), pages 2401-2411.
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    4. Kong, Im Mo & Choi, Jong Won & Kim, Sung Il & Lee, Eun Sook & Kim, Min Soo, 2015. "Experimental study on the self-humidification effect in proton exchange membrane fuel cells containing double gas diffusion backing layer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 345-353.
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    8. Kong, Im Mo & Jung, Aeri & Kim, Min Soo, 2016. "Investigations on the double gas diffusion backing layer for performance improvement of self-humidified proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 176(C), pages 149-156.
    9. Kim, Ah-Reum & Shin, Seungho & Um, Sukkee, 2016. "Multidisciplinary approaches to metallic bipolar plate design with bypass flow fields through deformable gas diffusion media of polymer electrolyte fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 378-389.
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    11. Fofana, Daouda & Natarajan, Sadesh Kumar & Hamelin, Jean & Benard, Pierre, 2014. "Low platinum, high limiting current density of the PEMFC (proton exchange membrane fuel cell) based on multilayer cathode catalyst approach," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 398-403.
    12. Kim, Jaeyeon & Kim, Hyeok & Song, Hyeonjun & Kim, Dasol & Kim, Geon Hwi & Im, Dasom & Jeong, Youngjin & Park, Taehyun, 2021. "Carbon nanotube sheet as a microporous layer for proton exchange membrane fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 227(C).
    13. Manoj Kumar, P. & Parthasarathy, V., 2013. "A passive method of water management for an air-breathing proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 457-461.
    14. Ebrahimi, Sasan & Ghorbani, Babak & Vijayaraghavan, Krishna, 2017. "Optimization of catalyst distribution along PEMFC channel through a numerical two-phase model and genetic algorithm," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 113(C), pages 846-854.
    15. Yang, Yang & Li, Jun & Yang, Yingrui & Lan, Linghan & Liu, Run & Fu, Qian & Zhang, Liang & Liao, Qiang & Zhu, Xun, 2022. "Gradient porous electrode-inducing bubble splitting for highly efficient hydrogen evolution," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 307(C).
    16. Kim, Ah-Reum & Jung, Hye-Mi & Um, Sukkee, 2014. "An engineering approach to optimal metallic bipolar plate designs reflecting gas diffusion layer compression effects," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 50-55.
    17. Majlan, E.H. & Rohendi, D. & Daud, W.R.W. & Husaini, T. & Haque, M.A., 2018. "Electrode for proton exchange membrane fuel cells: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 89(C), pages 117-134.
    18. Liu, Huize & Hu, Zunyan & Li, Jianqiu & Xu, Liangfei & Shao, Yangbin & Ouyang, Minggao, 2023. "Investigation on the optimal GDL thickness design for PEMFCs considering channel/rib geometry matching and operating conditions," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    19. Kong, Im Mo & Jung, Aeri & Kim, Young Sang & Kim, Min Soo, 2017. "Numerical investigation on double gas diffusion backing layer functionalized on water removal in a proton exchange membrane fuel cell," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 478-487.
    20. Wang, Yulin & Wang, Xiaodong & Wang, Xiaoai & Liu, Tao & Zhu, Tingting & Liu, Shengchun & Qin, Yanzhou, 2021. "Droplet dynamic characteristics on PEM fuel cell cathode gas diffusion layer with gradient pore size distribution," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 178(C), pages 864-874.
    21. Li, Yi & Yuan, Fang & Weng, Rengang & Xi, Fang & Liu, Wei, 2021. "Variational-principle-optimized porosity distribution in gas diffusion layer of high-temperature PEM fuel cells," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C).
    22. Rakhshanpouri, S. & Rowshanzamir, S., 2013. "Water transport through a PEM (proton exchange membrane) fuel cell in a seven-layer model," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 50(C), pages 220-231.
    23. 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).
    24. Yu, Yang & Chen, Sheng & Wu, Yuanhao, 2023. "Predicting gas diffusion layer flow information in proton exchange membrane fuel cells from cross-sectional data using deep learning methods," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 282(C).
    25. Xing, Lei & Shi, Weidong & Su, Huaneng & Xu, Qian & Das, Prodip K. & Mao, Baodong & Scott, Keith, 2019. "Membrane electrode assemblies for PEM fuel cells: A review of functional graded design and optimization," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 445-464.

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